Federal agents’ crash in Elgin leads to chemical deployment and dozens of calls: police

Federal agents’ crash in Elgin leads to chemical deployment and dozens of calls: police

Federal agents were involved in a crash in Elgin on Saturday that prompted a series of police calls and the use of chemical irritants, authorities said.

ELGIN - Federal agents were involved in a crash in Elgin on Saturday that prompted a series of police calls and the use of chemical irritants, authorities said.

What we know:

A federal agent contacted Elgin police at 9:15 a.m. to report involvement in a crash in the 1600 block of West Highland Avenue, according to the Elgin Police Department. 

The agent told officials they had been conducting enforcement activities when the crash occurred. A person in another vehicle fled the scene and was believed to have run toward the Maple Lane area.

Shortly after 10 a.m., police received another call reporting a suspicious incident in the 1600 block of Maple Lane. 

The caller said masked individuals claiming to have a warrant were on their property. Responding officers found federal law enforcement agents on scene and cleared the area.

At 12:22 p.m., police received several additional calls reporting that shots had been fired in the same area and involving federal agents. Officers confirmed no shots were fired, but said federal agents had deployed chemical irritants.

Elgin police and the Elgin Fire Department provided medical care to seven people exposed to the irritants. 

All were later released. In total, police received 30 calls related to the incidents.

What they're saying:

Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain spoke in a video message on Facebook Saturday evening, denouncing the incident.

"I am outraged that a brazen ICE operation in Elgin resulted in a car crash and the deployment of chemical irritants that left multiple people needing medical treatment. Spraying tear gas in a residential neighborhood is an unacceptable danger to the community, no matter the circumstances. ICE and DHS must immediately explain how this operation was carried out, why chemical agents were used, and what accountability will follow." – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

What's next:

Elgin police said they will continue to respond to calls for service and will "determine the appropriate action within the parameters of the Illinois Trust Act," which prohibits local officers from assisting in federal immigration enforcement operations.