A suburban man has been charged with attempted murder after intentionally striking a Chicago police officer with a stolen vehicle.
Randy Kendricks, 19, of Harvey, is accused of stealing a van and then hitting an officer who had just exited his vehicle. The incident happened in the 6000 block of South Wolcott in the Englewood neighborhood on Jan. 1 at about 2:35 p.m.
When officers observed Kendricks and another male offender in the stolen van, they turned on their emergency lights and tried to curb the vehicle. Kendricks attempted to flee and then rammed the van into the squad car.
The officer then exited the car, and Kendricks accelerated, intentionally striking the officer, according to Chicago police. The officer was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The offenders fled on foot after the incident, but police soon caught up with Kendricks and he was taken into custody. Police are still pursuing the second offender.
Kendricks is also charged with felony counts of aggravated battery and possession of a stolen vehicle. He received a misdemeanor charge for obstructing his identity and a citation for damage to public property.
Kendricks is scheduled to appear in bond court on Saturday.
