Gail Borden library candidate charged with resisting police officer

A candidate for a seat on the Gail Borden Public Library board is facing charges of resisting a police officer.

Randy Hopp, 65, of Elgin, is due in Kane County court April 12 on charges stemming from his arrest Aug. 13 in Elgin. Police were called to his house by a neighbor who reported that Hopp and his mother were yelling at each other, a police report states.

When two officers arrived, Hopp's mother answered the door and agreed to let them inside, but Hopp rushed toward one of the officers, Dave Mendiola, and bumped into him to prevent him from getting in, the report states.

Mendiola put Hopp in a wrist lock, brought him down to the floor and handcuffed him, the report states.

Hopp was booked at the police station and posted $150 cash bond.

Hopp said the report is false, and that it was police who attacked him.

"I didn't take the initiative to make contact with (Mendiola). He took the initiative to charge into me to get in the door, without a warrant," he said.

He also claimed police damaged a living room lamp.

Police Deputy Chief Bill Wolf said the department can't comment because the case is pending.

Hopp served as library trustee from 2009 to 2013 when he lost re-election.

He was charged in 2011 with hitting his late father, and the charges were later dismissed.

He was banned for a time from the library after staff members complained of harassing and threatening behavior from him, and attended board meetings escorted by security. He remains banned from both library branches.