2nd man accused of shooting at off-duty Berwyn cop

A 28-year-old Humboldt Park man is the second man charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at an off-duty Berwyn police officer earlier this month.

The officer had been chasing David Cruz and his friends in his personal car on Sept. 6 because the driver, Benjamin Russell, drove off after crashing into an ambulance in the 1800 block of West Huron, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jennifer Walsh said.

The off-duty officer, who was on his way home from work, tailed 24-year-old Russell through side streets and alleys before Cruz opened the passenger-side door and started shooting, Walsh said.

The officer returned fire and called 911 with a description of the car as well as the license plate number. He stopped pursuing Russell as he fled, Walsh said.

The car Russell was driving was registered to his brother, who was in the front seat during the chase, Walsh said. The brother later identified Russell as the driver, Walsh said.

The officer also identified Russell, who was arrested the same day in the basement of a residence in the 6100 block of South Martin Luther King Drive.

The car has since been recovered.

Cruz, of the 4100 block of West Potomac, was ordered held on $2 million bail. The father of three has four previous felony convictions.

Russell, who goes by the nickname “Umpa,” was also ordered held on $2 million bail when he appeared in court earlier this month.