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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
April 24, 2019
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
Contact: Lieutenant Freddrick Diez
Public Information Officer
North Chicago Police Department
diez@northchicago.org
Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer
(Lake County, IL April 24, 2019) The North Chicago Police Department arrested three (3) suspects after responding to the reports of shots being fired at several locations.
At approximately 1:09 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2019, officers responded to the report of shots fired near the intersection of Argonne Drive and Jackson Street. Upon arrival, they located several spent casings. Subsequently, officers responded to 1500 block of Broadway Avenue for a report of a second shooting. Upon arrival on Broadway, officers located the driver of a Lyft whose vehicle had been shot several times. As they were at the scene of the second shooting, officers were dispatched to the area of 14th Street and Dugdale Road for the report of shots being fired into a moving vehicle from another moving vehicle.
At approximately 3:14 a.m., a North Chicago patrol officer located the offending vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the area of 19th Street and Grove Street. A vehicle pursuit subsequently ensued at which time one of the offenders fired at least two (2) gunshots from the passenger-side window at the pursuing officer.
At the conclusion of the pursuit, the suspects were taken into custody and identified as:
Raymond Steward, Black male, 26 years of age, North Chicago, IL
James Towns, Black male, 27 years of age, Waukegan, IL
Willie Bell, Black male, 28 years of age, Waukegan, IL
The offenders were charged with the following offenses:
1st Degree Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer (Class X Felony)
Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)
Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class X Felony)
The offenders were processed and transported to the Lake County Jail. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“The officers involved in these incidents displayed the utmost degree of restraint, teamwork courage and professionalism,” said Police Chief Lazaro Perez. “Despite the imminent danger of being fired upon, the pursuing officer maintained his composure, tracked the offenders, and assisted in their safe apprehension.”
Additionally, we like to thank the officers of the Waukegan Police Department who assisted in the apprehension of the suspects, as well as the Lake County States Attorney’s Office for their guidance and assistance.
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Pictured: Raymond Steward
Pictured: Willie Bell
Pictured: James Towns
Lake County State's Attorney's Office 18 N. County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3000
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