Deputy Injured After Convicted Felon Leaves Traffic Stop Near Crystal Lake: Authorities

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A sheriff’s deputy was injured and a second was sideswiped by a car as a convicted felon, who was allegedly in possession of a gun, drove off from a traffic stop near Crystal Lake.

Quinelle Franklin, 33, of Crystal Lake, was charged with armed habitual criminal, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer, aggravated fleeing to elude causing injury, illegal possession of ammunition, driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, unauthorized lighting on a vehicle, speeding and failure to use a seatbelt.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle around 7:30 p.m. on August 30.

The vehicle, driven by Franklin, drove away from the traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court.

One of the deputies was brushed by the vehicle when it pulled away and a second deputy had his finger pinched, leaving him injured.

The complaint said Franklin was found in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol that was reported stolen out of Crystal Lake three days earlier.

Franklin is a convicted felon and not allowed to possess firearms. He was convicted of aggravated battery in a 2010 Kane County case and possession of a firearm by a felon in a 2018 case.

The complaint said Franklin had been driving on Route 31 despite having a revoked driver’s license.

Franklin also drove over the center median on two separate instances on Cog Circle in Crystal Lake, the complaint said.

The complaint said the vehicle, which had illegal red lights emitting from the rear bumper, did not have valid insurance.

Franklin was not wearing his seatbelt and was caught driving 7 mph over the posted 55 mph speed limit, the complaint said.

The wanted vehicle was located a short time later at the Ivy Hall Dispensary in Crystal Lake and Franklin was taken into custody and transported to the McHenry County Jail.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Franklin.

McHenry County Judge Carl Metz granted the petition to detain Franklin pending trial.

The judge said Franklin has a significant criminal history and was most recently convicted in May 2023 of aggravated fleeing to elude. “The court believes there are no conditions that could mitigate that risk.”

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.