A CBS News crew in Chicago was attacked by three men who allegedly hurled racial slurs at a cameraman on Monday night. The suspects, identified as Jon Twist, 37, Rafael Salinas, 29, and William Huerta, 41, now face multiple charges, including a felony count for committing a hate crime.
The incident occurred near the Adler Planetarium shortly before 4:30 p.m. According to reports, the news van was preparing for a live broadcast when the suspects pulled their tow truck in front of the vehicle.
Witnesses reported that Twist exited his truck with a German shepherd and began shouting racial obscenities at the Black cameraman, reportedly asking if he was scared and ordering the dog to attack. When the dog did not obey, Twist allegedly kicked the animal and then approached another CBS employee, repeating the question about fear.
The cameraman, fearing for his life, struck Twist with a foldable lawn chair. Witnesses described Twist as unfazed by the blows. Twist and the dog then pursued the news crew member.
Meanwhile, Salinas allegedly damaged the news crew's camera equipment, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage, and continued to approach the reporter and cameraman. The two CBS employees retreated to a sidewalk and called 911.
Upon returning, the crew discovered the front windshield of their news van had been shattered. Neither crew member sustained physical injuries during the assault.
Responding officers circulated a description of the tow truck, and a patrol officer spotted a matching vehicle. The officers initiated a pursuit when the driver, identified as Huerta, began driving at high speeds, disregarding traffic signals and driving into oncoming traffic.
During the chase, Huerta allegedly brake-checked officers multiple times, leading to a rear-end collision. He then reportedly placed the truck in reverse and drove toward the officers. The pursuit ended when the tow truck crashed into a concrete pole in the Brighton Park neighborhood. The three suspects and a fourth unidentified person fled on foot but were apprehended by officers.
Prosecutors stated that before being taken into custody, Salinas struck a uniformed officer. A high-powered rifle was recovered from the crashed tow truck.
Twist faces charges including felony criminal damage to property, misdemeanor resisting an officer, and committing a hate crime. Salinas is charged with felony aggravated battery to a peace officer, felony criminal damage between $10,000 and $100,000, and two misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct and resisting police. Huerta faces a felony charge of fleeing and attempting to elude officers, along with various traffic citations and misdemeanor counts for aggravated assault of a state employee, reckless driving, and leaving the scene.
Court records reveal Twist has a prior conviction for aggravated kidnapping for which he served seven years, and time for a towing scam. He also has an order of protection against him for alleged threats. Huerta was previously charged with attempted first-degree murder, though those charges were dropped, and he served six years for aggravated battery with a firearm. Salinas had an active warrant for fleeing police following a hit and run. All three have been previously accused of using tow trucks in criminal activities.
The three men were ordered on Thursday to remain in custody pending their next court appearance on July 8.