Round Lake Heights man pleads guilty to hitting cop with car
A Round Lake Heights man accused of hitting a police officer with a car after a retail theft at Wal-Mart in Round Lake Beach avoided trial by pleading guilty.
Cedric D. Brown, 44, of the 800 block of Seneca Trail, faces up to 12 years in prison after Judge Mark Levitt accepted the negotiated guilty plea to one count of aggravated battery to a police officer Tuesday, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney John Brown said.
Charges of escape, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, obstructing, retail theft and burglary were dropped in exchange for the plea agreement, court records show.
John Brown said the aggravated battery charge was initially a class 2 felony. However, because Cedric Brown had been charged with more than two class 2 felonies in the past, he was facing up to 30 years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, John Brown agreed to cap any prison sentence at 12 years.
Cedric Brown has been held in Lake County jail on $750,000 bail. Sentencing is scheduled for April 6.
Police previously said Cedric Brown was a Waukegan resident, but court records show him as having a Round Lake Heights address.
Police were called to the Wal-Mart at 2680 N. Route 83 about 12:30 p.m. May 22 for a report of a retail theft. Cedric Brown had just run from the store and into his vehicle as officers approached the car.
An officer attempted to open the vehicle door, but Cedric Brown put the car in reverse to escape, authorities said.
The officer was struck by the open door and knocked to the ground, authorities said. The officer suffered scrapes and bruises but was not seriously injured.
Police discovered the vehicle about 90 minutes later on the 800 block of Seneca Trail in Round Lake Heights, authorities said. Officers searched the area but did not find Cedric Brown.
Cedric Brown was taken into custody in Waukegan two days later.