Sheriff: Driver who crashed car near Mundelein offered to pay witnesses not to call 911

Lake County sheriff's police said a man who crashed into a parked car last Monday tried to pay bystanders not to report the crash and, when that failed, grabbed the witnesses by their necks.

Edgar Catalan, 26, of the 33500 block of North Greentree Road near Grayslake, remains in Lake County jail Tuesday on charges of aggravated DUI, battery and leaving the scene of an accident, along with other lesser charges. A judge set Catalan's bail at $100,000, which means he would need to post $10,000 in cash to be released from jail before his trial.

Lake County Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Tuesday that Catalan was driving along the 18900 block of West Hickory Street near Mundelein around 9:40 p.m. Jan. 17 when he crashed into a parked car. The crash drew the attention of several people, including the 70-year-old man who owned the car and lived nearby.

Witnesses told police Catalan first attempted to start the car and leave the scene. When the car wouldn't start, Catalan began arguing with witnesses and offered to pay one of them not to call the police, Covelli said. At one point, Catalan grabbed the two witnesses by their necks, Covelli said.

Catalan then fled on foot. He was spotted by a Lake County sheriff's deputy and was taken to the county jail.

Catalan is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 8.