Buffalo Grove man pleads not guilty in kidnapping case
A Buffalo Grove man has pleaded not guilty to charges he kidnapped his estranged girlfriend in Highland Park and drove her against her will to Racine, Wis.
Samuel B. Jackson, 32, of the 1100 Block of Miller Lane, is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail on multiple counts of kidnapping, unlawful restraint and felony criminal damage to property, authorities said Thursday.
If found guilty of the kidnapping charge, Jackson could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, officials said.
Defense attorney James Murphy-Aguilu of Chicago said, "My client maintains his innocence," after Jackson's arraignment hearing in front of Judge Daniel Shanes.
Authorities said police were called to the 400 block of Central Avenue in Highland Park for a report of an argument between Jackson and the victim at 3:32 p.m. March 2.
The witness told police said the victim was in her car and Jackson was trying to break into the vehicle.
The victim and vehicle were gone when police arrived, authorities said, but the car was located in Racine.
Police found Jackson and the woman together about 6 p.m. at Sixth Street and Wisconsin Avenue, authorities said.
Wisconsin media reports said Jackson told Racine police, "just shoot me," and "send the dog," referring to a police K9 unit on the scene.
Police released the dog, and Jackson suffered a bite to his calf, according to media reports. Jackson was charged with two counts of resisting by Racine police.
His Lake County trial is tentatively scheduled for April 28. He is due back in court April 17.