Chicago Sun-Times

Driver accusing of ramming cop into Gold Coast flower bed in traffic stop

- BY DAVID STRUETT AND LUKE WILUSZ

A motorist allegedly rammed a Chicago police officer into a flower bed while trying to drive away from a traffic stop in the Gold Coast neighborho­od.

The pinned- in officer then pulled out a gun and ordered Anthony Sheko out of his Dodge Charger, in which police found a modified, fully automatic pistol, Cook County prosecutor­s said Wednesday.

Sheko, 23, was pulled over Tuesday near Maple and State streets after a squad car’s license plate reader flagged the car he was driving, Assistant State’s Attorney Jocelyn Schieve said. The officers walked up to the driver- and passenger- side doors.

One officer opened the driver’s door and ordered out Sheko, but Sheko allegedly put the car in reverse and hit the gas — catching the officer by the door and pinning him against a steel flower bed, Schieve said.

The officer freed himself as Sheko allegedly reversed past him.

After the officer pointed his gun and Sheko exited the car, police searched under the driver’s seat and found a fully automatic Glock 22 with an extended magazine with 23 rounds, Schieve said. The gun allegedly had a selector switch making it automatic.

The struck officer was hospitaliz­ed with swelling and bruising to his legs, Schieve said.

Sheko, of Country Club Hills, was arrested with his passenger, Asia Spann, 29, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Sheko’s attorney said that the Charger wasn’t his and that his actions may not have been intentiona­l.

Judge David Navarro ordered Sheko held on $ 100,000 bail on charges of unauthoriz­ed use of a weapon and aggravated battery to an officer.

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