Wanted Man Led Joliet Cops on Wild Chase with Newborn Baby in Car: Police

A wanted Joliet man led the cops on a wild chase around the east side despite having a newborn baby in his car, police said.

Edgar Gonzalez, 22, allegedly sped away from a roadside safety check at the corner of Chicago and Liberty streets Saturday night.

Gonzalez drove into oncoming traffic and blew through stop signs and red lights before abandoning his 1999 Jeep Cherokee and making a run for it, police said.

An officer reportedly hit Gonzalez in the back with a Taser and knocked him to the ground, but when the current stopped Gonzalez got up and dashed away again. That happened a second time and when the officer once more caught up with Gonzalez, the Joliet man punched him in the chest and told him he would not be locked up again, police said. He then allegedly grappled with the officer for the Taser and was jolted twice more.

While the officer was chasing and struggling with Gonzalez, police said, a passenger in the Jeep, 19-year-old Maria Garcia, drove off with the baby still in the vehicle. A description of the vehicle was broadcast, officers found it and again gave chase.

The cops reportedly caught Garcia at her mother’s house on Mohawk Street. Garcia was taken into custody and her 5-day-old child was left with her mother.

Garcia was released on her own recognizance. Gonzalez was taken to the Will County jail.

Less than a year and a half ago, Gonzalez broke every bone in his face when he fell from a rooftop while running from the cops, police said.

Gonzalez was reportedly wanted in connection with a drive-by shooting when officers spotted him and he made a break for it. He kicked in the door of a house, climbed the stairs and got onto the roof before plummeting to the ground, police said.