Police: Officer hit after spotting man nosing around mayor’s security vehicle

A woman hit a police officer who spotted a man snooping around a vehicle in Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s security detail early Thursday in the Lake View neighborhood, according to Chicago Police.

Edwin Torres and Maria Baez, both 31, each face one felony count of burglary, police said in a statement. Baez also is charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, which also is a felony.

The officer saw Torres leaning into the trunk of a city-owned vehicle in the 1700 block of West Byron about 1:55 a.m. Thursday, the statement said. A police source said the vehicle is part of Emanuel’s security detail.

At the same time, the officer saw Baez come out of his personal vehicle with his personal items, police said. He tried to arrest Baez but she hit him, hurting his back. More officers were called to the scene, and Baez and Torres were arrested.

The officer was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center with minor injuries.

Baez was ordered held on a $75,000 bail Thursday, and Torres was held on $25,000 bail, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s office website.

The pair, who live in the 4300 block of North Winchester, were scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 20.