Jan. 04--A 19-year-old convicted felon charged with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly striking a Chicago police officer with a stolen van was ordered held without bail Saturday.
Randy Kendricks, 19, of the 15600 block of South Vine Avenue in Harvey, is accused of intentionally hitting and injuring a police officer with the van around 2:35 p.m. Thursday in the 6000 block of South Wolcott Avenue in the West Englewood neighborhood, authorities said.
"You're dangerous. No bail," Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. said in bond court Saturday.
Kendricks has been arrested more than three times in the last five years, most recently in July 2014. He has been convicted of a felony and has failed to appear in court at least twice before, according to court records. Prosecutors said he lives with his mom and is not employed or in school.
The incident began when a Mississippi man waved down officers in the 5700 block of South Ashland Avenue, reporting that he was warming up his green van when two people got in and drove away. A vehicle matching the description was soon spotted near the Wolcott address.
Police tried to pull over the stolen van, which was occupied by two male offenders. The passenger got out and ran off, leading one officer on a chase, prosecutors said in court.
The second officer at the scene was injured after noticing the driver was still in the van. The police officer stood in front of the van and ordered the driver to get out, according to court records. Instead the driver, later identified by both officers as Kendricks, "accelerated and intentionally struck" him, police said.
The 26-year-old officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his left ankle and a possible concussion, authorities said. He was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital for treatment.
After the crash, Kendricks got out of the van and also fled on foot. Police said they found him breathless in the 5900 block of South Honore Street, prompting the arrest.
Kendricks was charged with a felony count of attempted first-degree murder, a felony count of aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon and a felony count of receiving, possessing and selling a stolen vehicle.
He's also charged with damaging public property and obstructing identification because he told police his name was Darrell Johnson, according to court records.
Kendricks is expected back in court Monday. Police are still looking for the second offender in connection with the incident.
