Wanted teen jumps from roof onto car to avoid Elgin police

An 18-year-old who was wanted on several warrants took Elgin police on a short foot chase, and damaged a car when he jumped off a roof Saturday afternoon, according to police reports.

Melvin C. Ramsey, of the 100 block of Mosely Street, Elgin, was being held on $103,000 bail and is due in court Thursday.

He was wanted for eluding Elgin police in two separate vehicle chases earlier in May, and also wanted on warrants from Kane County and Barrington, according to an Elgin police report.

Elgin police were called at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to Jewett Street because Ramsey was in a home where he was prohibited from visiting because of an order of protection.

He ran from the scene and officers lost sight of him until a half-hour later when he was seen running across State Street and retreating behind a home, police said. He later jumped from a rooftop onto the roof of a Ford Taurus, causing more than $300 damage, before he was caught in the 100 block of National Street near Hendee Street, a police report said.

Because of the damage to the car, Ramsey was charged with felony damage to property and resisting arrest. He also was wanted on two felony counts of fleeing and eluding Elgin police at speeds more than 21 mph over the limit from a May 11 incident, according to court records.

Police also tried to apprehend Ramsey following another incident in May during which he disobeyed traffic control devices and escaped, according to court records.

If convicted in all three Elgin cases and given consecutive sentences, he faces up to 12 years in prison. Probation also is an option for each case.