Local

K-9’s Jaws Close On Fleeing Suspect


Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— One resident learned last week that it’s not wise to try to outrun a police dog.

On Sunday, November 4, Officer Sweitzer observed a vehicle stopped at the payphone in the parking lot of Stop and Shop, 2599 Western Avenue.  Officer Sweitzer checked the registration of the vehicle and learned that the license plates were expired since February, 2006.  When the vehicle left the parking lot, Officer Sweizer got behind the vehicle in his marked patrol car, and the suspect vehicle turned into Norwood Plaza.  The officer activated the emergency lights to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped in front of Family Dollar in Norwood Plaza. 

A man, later identified as Taurus D. Banks, 29, 2713 Western, Park Forest, exited the car, according to the report, and allegedly began to run north through the plaza.  Officer Sweitzer yelled at Banks to stop, and warned that a police dog would be released.  Banks continue to run, and K-9 Aron was deployed.  Officer Sweitzer followed Banks, never losing sight of him in the vacant shopping plaza, according to the report.  As Banks continued running, he allegedly began to pull objects from his pants pockets and drop them on the ground.  K-9 Aron caught Banks and pulled him to the ground in front of 200 Norwood Plaza.  After a brief struggle, Banks was finally taken into custody.

The vehicle Banks had been driving had fled the area in an unknown direction.

Banks had on his possession $740.05 in United States currency.  Officer Sweitzer also recovered a small green colored plastic baggie which contained a leafy green substance from Bank’s front left pocket, according to the report.  While Officer Sweitzer walked back to his patrol car, retracing the route that Banks ran, he recovered two additional clear plastic baggies which also contained a leafy green substance and a small purple colored baggie which contained a white powdery substance.

Banks was brought to the Park Forest Police Department and an ambulance was requested to treat his wounds.  Banks received several bite wounds to his shoulders and back.  He also had an abrasion on his right cheek below the eye, according to the report.  Banks was treated at the Police Department by Park Forest Paramedics and signed a refusal for transport to the hospital.

Banks was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis, 10-30 g., and obstructing a peace officer,


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