Austin man charged with attempted murder of Chicago police officer while trying to flee after traffic stop

An Austin man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and three other felonies, accused of hitting a Chicago police officer while fleeing a traffic stop Thursday in Humboldt Park.

Timothy Hendricks, 32, tried to drive off after being stopped around 8 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Ridgeway Avenue, Cook County prosecutors said at a bail hearing Saturday.

After putting his vehicle in drive and hitting a squad car, he hit an officer with the passenger door of the car, which had been opened by a passenger, dragging the officer into a squad car, prosecutors said.

Chicago Police Department

Another officer slashed the tire of Hendricks’ car, causing Hendricks to run, prosecutors said. He was arrested about a block away after he tried to hide in a nearby home, according to police.

Hendricks also was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer, possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine and resisting and obstructing a police officer and given traffic citations.

A Cook County judge set Hendricks’ bail at $1 million.

Hendricks has seven previous felony convictions and six misdemeanor convictions, including a misdemeanor assault of a police officer, prosecutors said.