Cook County man faces gun, drug-related charges following high-speed crash in Palatine

<strong>(Palatine Police)</strong>
(Palatine Police)

PALATINE - A suburban man was arrested for gun and drug-related charges following a crash in Palatine last Thursday.

Darius Redmond, 22, of Palatine, was traveling as a passenger in a black SUV on May 9 at 10:30 a.m. when the driver of the vehicle led police on a high-speed chase before crashing into other cars.

Palatine police followed the car after witnesses saw people in the black SUV pointing handguns at people.

The 20-year-old man driving the SUV was arrested following the crash. Redmond allegedly fled the scene but was arrested inside a nearby business.

Charges have yet to be filed against the driver. Redmond was charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors, including unlawful use of a weapon and manufacturing and delivering 30-500 grams of cannabis.

Police recovered two handguns with extended magazines from the scene. One of the guns appeared to be modified.

<div>James Howard</div>
James Howard

Additional charges were filed in relation to the crash after the boyfriend of a woman whose car was stuck attempted to attack the driver of the black SUV. James Howard, 26, of Palatine, allegedly injured a police officer who intervened.

The injured officer was taken to an area hospital and later released.

Howard was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, aggravated resisting a police officer and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a police officer.