Huntley crime spree suspect still jailed
A 22-year-old Elgin man remained locked up in the McHenry County jail Thursday, nearly a week after Huntley police say he went on a 40-minute crime spree during which he stole one vehicle, carjacked another and was apprehended while trying to break into a third.
Hugo Benitez, 158 S. Union St., faces 12 charges in all -- two of them felonies -- stemming from the Saturday morning rampage that left one would-be good Samaritan slightly injured and another lucky to avoid a similar fate.
The chain of events began about 6:15 a.m. Saturday, police said, when Benitez was walking on the 1100 block of North Church Street and came upon a pickup left running by its owner.
Benitez, Huntley police Sgt. Mike Hewitt said, took the truck and drove off, only to lose control of it along Haligus Road and crash into a utility pole before becoming stuck in a ditch.
A female motorist came upon the crash scene and offered help, Hewitt said. Benitez responded by striking her in the head and trying to take her car. Police said she managed to get away from him and drove to her workplace for help.
A short time later, a man came upon the scene, pulled over and got out of his SUV to offer assistance, Hewitt said.
"Benitez allegedly took a swing at that gentleman, then jumped into his vehicle and drove off," Hewitt said.
Once again, the ride didn't last long. Benitez, police said, drove through a dead end at Main Street, across a field and over a fence before coming to a stop and fleeing on foot with police from Huntley, Lake in the Hills and Algonquin giving pursuit.
Officers heard a crashing sound near Main Street and Fairbluff Avenue and found Benitez at about 6:50 a.m., Hewitt said, smashing a landscaping brick into a car window in an apparent attempt to break in.
He was arrested and later charged with vehicular hijacking, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault, criminal damage to property, obstructing a peace officer, two counts of driving under the influence and five traffic offenses. The most serious charge, vehicular hijacking, is a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Benitez remains in custody at the McHenry County jail, unable to post a $90,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.