Carpentersville man charged with hate crime, threatening to kill cop

A Carpentersville man who is no stranger to a jail cell was put back behind bars yet again, this time on several charges, among them that he committed a hate crime and threatened to kill a police officer.

According to police:

James M. Luecke, 47, of the 0-99 block of North Lincoln Avenue, kicked in the door of his neighbor's house Thursday night at 11:19 p.m., believing she was responsible for leaving trash all over his lawn.

After he kicked her door in, he went into her house and hurled racial epithets at the woman, who is black.

Police on the scene told Luecke to stop using those words, or else he'd be charged with a hate crime.

He indicated he didn't care, and police arrested him.

On the way to the station, Luecke repeatedly hit his head against the plastic divider between the front and back seats, splitting his head open. Police called the paramedics and while in a cell, Luecke stuffed a blanket down the toilet, causing the cell to flood. He also threatened officers, should they enter his cell.

Once paramedics arrived a police officer tried to get Luecke out of the cell for treatment, Luecke said,

"Once you run my name, you're going to see who I am and I'm going to ... kill you," he told them. Police restrained him and took him to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, for treatment.

From there, things got worse.

Once at the hospital, Luecke threatened to gouge out another officer's eyes and threatened to find him on the Internet.

"When they start talking about 'We're gonna look you up,' now you're bringing it home," Police Cmdr. Timothy Bosshart said.

In the end, Luecke was charged with threatening a public official, criminal damage to state supported property, a hate crime, criminal trespass to residence and criminal damage to property - all of which are felonies.

According to Kane County court records, Luecke has numerous felony and misdemeanor arrests since 2004, mainly for domestic disputes, resisting arrest and property damage.

Luecke's bail was set at $150,000 and he needs $15,000 to get out of jail while his case is pending. He is due in court on the most recent charges on May 16.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Harry Hitzeman contributed to this report.