LITH teen accused of attacking Elgin cop, trying to take his gun

A Lake in the Hills teen is accused of head-butting an Elgin police officer and trying to take away his gun early Thursday in an attack possibly fueled by alcohol.

Justin J. Schneck, 18, of the 700 block of Elderberry Court, is charged with of disarming a peace officer and aggravated battery to a peace officer, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor count of consumption of alcohol by a minor stemming from the incident in the 1000 block of Cedar Drive.

Police were dispatched to the block at 12:30 a.m. Thursday for an unknown problem, Deputy Police Chief Cecil Smith said.

When a sergeant approached Schneck, the teenager ran away, Smith said. A police officer caught up with him, and ordered Schneck to stop running, which he did for a moment before taking off again.

The officer got him a second time and smelled alcohol on Schneck and noticed his eyes were bloodshot, Smith said.

Schneck refused to give his name and when the officer tried to detain him, Schneck reached back and yanked on the gun secured in the officer's holster, Smith said.

Schneck later wrestled with the officer and head-butted him in the face, police said. He was escorted to the jail shortly thereafter.

The officer sustained head swelling during the altercation, but remains on duty, Smith said.

Kane County Judge Bruce W. Lester set Schneck's bond at $50,000 at a court hearing Thursday morning.

Schneck opened his mouth in disbelief when he heard the bond amount and after a few seconds asked the judge, "You can't let me out? Please?"

"Absolutely not," Lester responded.

Schneck was unable to post the $5,000 he needs to go free while the case is pending and remained in the Kane County jail. His next court date is May 13.

If found guilty of either felony charge, Schneck could spend between three and seven years in prison.