Police say arrests made in ‘door check’ attack on boy in Round Lake Park

Four juveniles have been charged in an attack on a 15-year-old boy that occurred when he was struck by a door opened on a moving car, Round Lake Park police said.

Police Chief George Filenko said detectives found the suspects in about three hours and arrested them after gaining more information from the victim and working other sources Wednesday morning. He said the detectives initially had little information to go on.

“I’ve got to give all the praise in the world to them,” Filenko said.

The attack happened just before midnight Sunday in the 100 block of Fairlawn Drive in Round Lake Park. Filenko said there are no sidewalks in the area, so the victim was listening to music on an iPod while walking home off the side of the road after visiting a friend.

Filenko said a 16-year-old reputed gang member from Lake Villa was sitting in the back seat on the passenger side of a four-door 1994 Nissan that a 17-year-old girl from unincorporated Ingleside was driving on Fairlawn. Police said the Lake Villa teen was looking for a rival gang member to rob.

Filenko said the Lake Villa teen spotted the victim and opened rear passenger door on the moving car and knocked him to the ground. Filenko said the boy was victimized by what’s become known as a “door check.”

After the boy was hit, the car drove off, Filenko said. The boy, who wasn’t robbed and does not have known gang ties, was treated at the scene for injuries to his hands, elbows and knees, Filenko said.

Police said a 16-year-old girl from Fox Lake and a 16-year-old boy from Round Lake Beach were in the car with the Lake Villa and Ingleside suspects.

Filenko said the 17-year-old Ingleside girl was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an injury accident, aggravated reckless driving, no insurance, aggravated battery, attempted theft, disorderly conduct and mob action.

Charges of aggravated battery, attempted theft and mob action were leveled against the other teens. Filenko said the reputed 16-year-old gang member from Lake Villa was referred to juvenile authorities and the other three teens were released to their parents.