Palatine man charged as habitual criminal could face 6 to 30 years if convicted

A Palatine man who authorities say discharged a firearm outside an Arlington Heights apartment building earlier this month then drove away was charged with several felonies, including unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

Because of his criminal history, Dirk Hugo, 34, faces charges as an armed habitual criminal, a class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kay Hanlon set bail at $100,000 Monday for Hugo, who has felony convictions dating back 15 years. Hugo must post 10 percent or $10,000 to be released from custody.

A man reported hearing a gunshot outside his home about 8 p.m. on Feb. 7, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Javier.

The man noticed a red pickup truck he knew to be Hugo’s leaving the area, said Javier, adding that the men knew each other because the complaining witness dated Hugo’s ex-girlfriend.

On Feb. 11, police tried to stop Hugo as he drove his truck but he refused, Javier said. A chase ensued during which Hugo ignored traffic signs and struck three other vehicles, Javier said.

Hugo finally stopped in the 1600 block of Yale Court in Arlington Heights, exited the truck and ran to his parent’s home where police apprehended him, Javier said. Police also recovered a revolver and several rounds of ammunition, Javier said.

Police also charged Hugo with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated fleeing and eluding and driving on a revoked license.

His criminal background includes a seven-year prison sentence in 2006 for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, Javier said. He was sentenced to four years in prison for delivery of cannabis in 2001, and 30 months probation for aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in 1999, Javier said. In 1998 he was sentenced to two years probation for unlawful use of a weapon and that same year received two years conditional discharge for misdemeanor delivery of a controlled substance, Javier said. In 1996, a judge sentenced Hugo to six months in jail for harboring a runaway. That same year, he received one year conditional discharge each for possession of cannabis and criminal damage to property.

Hugo spoke on his own behalf during the hearing, against the advice of Cook County Assistant Public Defender Melissa Wright.

Hugo claimed the complaining witness, whom he referred to as the “alleged victim,” threatened Hugo’s girlfriend.

“I never intended any harm toward anybody,” Hugo said.

He next appears in court on March 10.