Ingleside teen accused in wild police chase ordered held on $2 million bail
Looking pale and scared, an Ingleside teen was ordered held in Lake County jail on $2 million bail for being high and drunk during a wild police chase this month.
Ronald Maas, 18, appeared in Lake County bond court Tuesday on charges of attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, aggravated fleeing and eluding, attempted theft, aggravated assault, criminal damage to government property, and aggravated driving under the influence.
He was ordered held by Judge Patrick Salvi despite defense attorney James Bertucci's request that Maas be released to a medical facility for more treatment of wounds suffered during the Nov. 13 chase.
He must post 10 percent of the $2 million bail amount to be released from jail, Salvi said.
Bertucci said Maas has reconstructive surgery to repair his jaw after being hit by a bullet in the cheek. Maas also suffered a broken arm, had his jaw wired shut and had a tracheotomy to help him breathe during his stay at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He was confined to a wheelchair Tuesday.
Authorities said the chase started at 10:40 p.m. Nov. 13, when Round Lake police officers spotted Maas in a stolen 2009 Ford sedan near Washington Street and Cedar Lake Avenue. Maas was wanted on an outstanding burglary warrant and the vehicle was reported stolen out of Chicago.
Officers pursued for a short time, but ended the chase and called other agencies to stop the car should they see it, authorities said.
About 10 minutes later, Lake Villa police found the stolen car rolled over on Route 83, but Maas had taken a 2002 F-350 Ford pickup from the 200 block of Burnett in Lake Villa, authorities said.
Maas picked up a 15-year-old female friend and the two were spotted by a Lake County Sheriff's deputy on Petite Lake Road in unincorporated Lake County, authorities said. The deputy tried to pull over the truck, but Maas took off again, officials said.
The stolen truck was spotted by officers from various jurisdictions minutes later, speeding north on Forest Avenue near Route 134 in Ingleside. Maas tried to lose the deputies in a residential subdivision, Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Walker said, but officers blocked the only access road and waited for him to come out.
Maas tried to run through the police car barricade, Walker said, but officers moved their vehicles to avoid damage. The maneuver caused Maas to hit a passenger vehicle on Route 134.
After that crash, Maas put the Ford truck in reverse, and rammed into a deputy's vehicle, Walker said. A Round Lake Heights police officer fired one shot at Maas and hit him in the cheek, officials said.
Maas escaped and headed east on Route 134 through Grayslake, driving at speeds of more than 80 mph.
The chase ended about 12:45 a.m. when he crossed the centerline of Route 45 and struck a 2013 Chevrolet Spark. The truck rolled over and the people in the Spark suffered broken legs, injured chests and head wounds, Walker said.
Maas ditched the truck and ran to the nearby J & B Ranch on Route 45, Walker said. He was arrested after homeowners called 911 when they heard him trying to steal a truck about 1:20 a.m.
Walker said the 15-year-old girl later told police Maas had been drinking and smoked crack cocaine before the police chase. He had a .13 blood-alcohol level when he was taken to Condell and tests show he had cannabis, cocaine and opiates in his system, Walker said.
Maas is due back in court Dec. 3 for new bond hearing. More charges are possible.