CHICAGO MAN FACES PRISON TERM AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO DUI-FUELED POLICE CHASE
Will learn how many years he will spend with Bubba as his new sweetheart on Valentines Day!
Henry Benjamin III
According to the Kane County Illinois States Attorney, a Chicago man has pleaded guilty and faces sentencing on Feb. 14th to leading police on a chase through several
northern Kane County communities while intoxicated before crashing into a West Dundee police squad car and injuring several officers in the process.
Henry Benjamin III, 39 (d.o.b. 12-23-1973), of the 100 block of North Mozart Street, Chicago, on Jan. 3, 2013, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated DUI, a Class 2
felony, and one count of aggravated driving on a revoked license, a Class 2 felony.
Associate Judge Marmarie J. Kostelny accepted the plea and set Benjamin’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14, 2013, for sentencing. Benjamin faces a
sentence of between six and 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Benjamin is not eligible for probation.
At about 11:30 p.m. March 12, 2011, Benjamin was stopped by Carpentersville police on Route 25 for a traffic violation. Benjamin refused to provide the officer with
his driver’s license and proof of insurance. When he attempted to reach into the center console of his car, the officer became alarmed and a struggle ensued.
Benjamin was able to put his vehicle into gear and drove off, dragging the officer with him for a short distance. Benjamin led multiple squad cars from multiple jurisdictions
on a lengthy chase at speeds that exceeded the posted limits south on Route 25, west on Route 68, and west on Route 72, until, at the intersection of Routes 31 and 72 in West Dundee, he lost control of his car and rammed a West Dundee police car.
Benjamin was taken into custody, and the investigation revealed that his bloodalcohol concentration was .160. Benjamin faces a larger sentence because he has
four prior DUI convictions and has previously served time in prison for DUI. He also has 15 prior convictions for driving on a revoked license.
One of the officers continues to recover from the injuries.
Benjamin remains in the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest on $1 million bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Greg Sams and Andrew Whitfield.
