2 Arrested, Officer Kicked In Face During Chase At Orland Square Mall

Orland Park IL

18 April, 2022

10:00 PM

Description

ORLAND PARK, IL — Three people were arrested and two remain in custody after police chased a man with a gun through the Orland Square Mall parking lot, officials said. According to police, Orland Park officers were patrolling near the mall Wednesday evening when they smelled marijuana coming from a car. While approaching the vehicle, officers said they saw three men get out of the car and go into the mall. After looking inside, police told Patch they saw a bag of cannabis and a Glock handgun in the backseat. Police officials said in a social media statement that some officers stayed by the car and others went inside the mall to find the vehicle's driver and passengers. While waiting by the car, a man later identified as Garcell D. James left the mall and got into the driver's seat. When officers approached, police said James got out of the car holding a handgun. "James began to run through the mall parking lot while officers pursued him, ignoring repeated orders to drop the gun and stop," police said in an official statement on the arrest. "James ignored the orders and continued to run away but tripped as officers were gaining ground on him." Once James was on the ground, the closest officer jumped on top of him but James kicked the officer in the face, threw down the handgun and started running again, police said. Officers were eventually able to catch and arrest James and found the loaded handgun he threw down nearby. The other two men were located and arrested inside the mall. One of the men, identified as the car's owner Deshaun Wesley, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after police said they found another handgun and a Draco AK-47 with a box of ammunition inside a backpack in the front seat. The other man had a concealed carry holder permit and was released at the scene. James, who is currently on parole for charges including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, is facing charges of aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon. He will have to pay $10,000 of his bond in order to be released pending trial. The officer James kicked in the face was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.