Criminal charges filed against man who allegedly attempted to arrest Fox Lake Police Office

FOX LAKE, Ill. — A McHenry County man is facing criminal charges after an incident involving a police officer along U.S. Highway 12 Tuesday afternoon.

According to Fox Lake police, Eric Walleck, 51, was charged with one count of aggravated assault on a peace office and one count of aggravated vehicular assault. ‘a vehicle. He was also charged with two misdemeanors, including reckless driving and fleeing to elude.

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The charges were laid following an alleged incident involving a Fox Lake police officer that occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Officers said Walleck spotted a Fox Lake patrol car heading north along U.S. 12 and allegedly attempted to overtake the patrol car by weaving in and out of traffic while honking and flashing the horn its headlights.

Walleck was eventually able to get ahead of the police car and officers said he then allegedly abruptly turned his car in front of the police car as he abruptly stopped in traffic.

When the officer involved activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop, Walleck allegedly got out of his car with a pair of handcuffs and said he was arresting the officer. The officer ordered Walleck to get back into his vehicle, and officers said he complied but then fled the scene.

Police added that they also became aware of threatening statements allegedly made by Walleck on social media, in which he offered a cash reward for arresting officers.

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It is unclear why Walleck would have sought to arrest police officers.

Authorities eventually caught up with Walleck at his home in the 1000 block of Hayden Drive in unincorporated McHenry, where he was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Walleck is currently being held at the Lake County Jail ahead of his first court appearance on Thursday.

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