Police: Aurora man choked officer during escape attempt

A 45-year-old Aurora man has been charged with attempted murder after police say he choked a corrections officer while attempting to escape the Aurora Police Department.

Homero Morales, of the 500 block of Parker Avenue, was being processed at the department at 2:45 a.m. Sunday for a DUI charge when he overpowered a 52-year-old corrections officer and bolted for freedom, police said.

Morales was handcuffed in front of his body during the attempted escape, and after breaking away from the correctons officer, he made his way to a lobby area where a fight with the officer ensued, police said.

Morales was able to break away from the corrections officer once again and reached fresh air before being tackled by the officer once again outside the building, police said.

While the two were wrestling on the ground, Morales attempted to choke the officer with the chain links of his handcuffs, police said.

A number of officers came to the aid of the corrections officer and were able to take Morales back into custody shortly after the incident, police said.

He has been charged with attempted murder, attempted escape, aggravated battery to a corrections employee and aggravated battery.

The corrections officer was treated for a broken thumb and a number of cuts and bruises at an Aurora hospital following the incident, police said.

Morales was also treated and released for cuts and scrapes.

He is being held at the Kane County jail on $500,000 bond.