Ex-con charged with running down Cook County deputy at jail
A convicted felon has been charged with running over a Cook County Sheriff's deputy with his car -- dragging him about 10 feet -- Saturday night outside the Cook County Jail.
James A. Cooper, 43, of the 300 block of East 56th Street, was charged early Monday with one count of aggravated battery to a peace officer, according to police.
The incident happened on Saturday just before 10 p.m. as an on-duty 31-year-old sheriff's deputy approached a suspicious car parked in a no parking zone near the jail in the 2700 block of South California Avenue, the release said.
When Cooper, the driver and sole occupant of the car, was questioned as to why he was parked in a no parking zone, he refused to move his car and became verbally abusive, according to a release from police.
As the deputy called for help, Cooper sped off, struck him with his car and dragged him about 10 feet, the release said said. Cooper escaped as police responded and the injured deputy was taken to the jail's Cermak Hospital with minor injuries.
Cooper was arrested after returning to the same area just after 11 p.m. Sunday, the release said. Sheriff’s officers spotted him and detained him until he was turned over to Chicago Police. He was the positively identified, the release said.
Cooper, a convicted felon, is expected to appear for a bond hearing later Monday.