Rolling Meadows police sergeant relieved of duties after road rage shooting
Chicago area police sergeant relieved of duties after road rage shooting
A Rolling Meadows police sergeant was arrested after shooting a gun during a road rage incident in Elgin last week.
ELGIN, Ill. - A Rolling Meadows police sergeant was arrested after shooting a gun during a road rage incident in Elgin last week.
Road rage shooting
What we know:
Officers from the Elgin Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Dundee Avenue at 7:23 p.m. last Wednesday, April 23, for a report of a confrontation between two men involving a gun.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the incident began as a traffic dispute, escalating into a physical altercation during which a gun was fired.
On Monday, Rolling Meadows Police Chief John Nowacki identified the person allegedly at the center of the incident as Sgt. Carlos Saez, 58, who has served with the Rolling Meadows Police Department for 19 years.
Carlos Saez | Elgin Police Department
Following the incident, Saez was taken into custody by Elgin police and charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, aggravated battery in a public way, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
No one was shot during the incident; however, the second man involved, who Elgin police are describing as the victim, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of a minor injury sustained during the scuffle.
Saez is the only person who is facing charges in connection with the incident.
Saez was off duty at the time and was not driving a department-issued vehicle, both Elgin and Rolling Meadows police confirmed to FOX 32.
In 2019, the Rolling Meadows Police Department honored Saez for his dedication to the ‘Crime Free Housing and Community Involvement’ program, as detailed in one of the department’s Facebook posts.
Following his arrest and subsequent criminal charges, Saez has been relieved of his police duties and placed on administrative leave.
The Rolling Meadows Police Department is now conducting an internal investigation, which is separate from the criminal investigation being led by Elgin police.
What's next:
Saez was transported to the Kane County Jail on Friday for a detention hearing, where a judge ordered his release with pretrial conditions.
His next court date is set for June 12.
FOX 32 Chicago reached out to Saez for comment through his listed phone number but did not immediately hear back.
The Source: The information in this report came from the Elgin and Rolling Meadow police departments.