Teen Drove into Cop 'Like a Bug on His Windshield': State's Attorney

Oakbrook Terrace, IL - A 19-year-old Chicago man is accused of intentionally hitting a police officer with his car after a foot chase in Oakbrook Terrace.

Bail was set at $100,000 for Devin Dawson, 19, of the 8400 block of S. Justine Street, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Dawson has been charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, which is a Class 2 felony, and aggravated assault to a police officer, a Class 3 felony.

An Oak Brook detective in plainclothes was on duty May 4 at Home Depot on 22nd Street in Oakbrook Terrace when he saw a man — later identified as Dawson — running from loss prevention personnel around 1:12 p.m., the state's attorney's office reports.

The detective joined the chase and identified himself as a police officer. As he ran around a van in the store parking lot, he found himself facing the man he'd been chasing, who was now behind the wheel of a car.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Dawson aimed his car at a man he knew was a police officer and hit the gas, "striking him head on like a bug on his windshield."

The detective rolled up the hood. He held on as the driver accelerated and made a sharp turn, throwing the detective to the ground as he sped from the scene.

The detective was injured, but he is expected to recover. Dawson was identified through the investigation, and he was arrested May 8 without incident on a $100,000 warrant.

"These allegations are extremely serious and will be met with the full force of the law," Berlin said.

Dawson's next court appearance is set for June 6 in front of Judge George Bakalis.

Photo courtesy of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.