Felony charges filed against man who allegedly tried to arrest Fox Lake police office

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

According to Fox Lake police, 51-year-old Eric Walleck has been charged with one felony count of aggravated assault to a peace office and one felony count of aggravated vehicular assault. He was also charged with two misdemeanors, including reckless driving and fleeing to elude.

The charges were handed down after an alleged incident involving a Fox Lake Police officer that unfolded just after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Officers said Walleck spotted a Fox Lake squad car that was traveling northbound along U.S. 12 and allegedly tried to catch up to the squad car by weaving in and out of traffic while honking his horn and flashing his headlights.

Walleck was eventually able to get ahead of the squad car and officers said he then allegedly abruptly turned his car in front of the squad car while coming to an abrupt stop in traffic.

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

Officers added that they also became aware of threatening statements that were allegedly made by Walleck on social media where he was offering a cash reward for the arrest of police officers.

It is unclear why Walleck was allegedly seeking the arrest of 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 just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

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

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