Elgin man charged with battering police

Two Elgin police officers were treated for injuries and released from the hospital after after being roughed up during an early morning traffic stop, police said Saturday.

"Incidents such as this are a reminder of the dangers that officers face every day," Deputy Chief Bill Wolf said in a news release.

Mario F. Randazzo, 18, of the 1700 block of Sheffield in Elgin, was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, criminal damage to property, resisting arrest and driving on a suspended license. The first three charges are felonies.

Randazzo was being held Saturday on $35,000 bond; he needs to post $3,500 to be released. His next court date is Jan. 23.

An officer stopped a vehicle on Randall Road north of Route 20 about 12:18 a.m., determined that Randazzo had a suspended license and attempted to place him under arrest, according to a news release.

Police said Randazzo attempted to drive away while the officer tried to stop him. Randazzo began striking the officer who sustained facial injuries; an assisting officer also was injured as well as having his glasses knocked off and broken, the release said.

The officers used pepper spray and took Randazzo into custody, the release said.