Schaumburg man accused of plunging car into Fox River while fleeing police skips court

A $40,000 warrant was issued for the arrest of a Schaumburg man who did not appear in court Monday where he was set to enter into a plea deal on charges related to him plummeting the vehicle he was driving into the Fox River.

During an attempted traffic stop, about 11:40 p.m. Sept. 9, 2020, Jarrail Ford-Gresham, 32, fled from Fox River Grove police “at a high rate of speed,” Lake County Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.

Ford-Gresham is accused of driving a 2007 Mercedes-Benz, displaying 2020 Arizona license plates, northwest along Lincoln Avenue when he crossed the intersection at North River Road, side swiped a parked Honda Odyssey minivan, an old fire pit, patio furniture, a gazebo and a deck before diving “air-born” into the Fox River in the 400 block of North River Road, according to court records and Covelli.

Police found a Glock 27, 40-caliber pistol, inside the vehicle, according to the criminal indictment filed in McHenry County courthouse.

Fox River Grove and local fire departments conducted a large-scale search and rescue operation, however, the man was helped to shore by kayaker, Covelli said, adding the vehicle Ford-Gresham was allegedly driving did not belong to him.

Ford-Gresham was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries. No one else was thought to be in the vehicle at the time, authorities said.

Ford-Gresham is charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, criminal damage to property, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, according to the bill of indictment.

In court Monday, Assistant State’s Attorney Ashur Youash said the state was rescinding its offer, to which Ford-Gresham could have pleaded to. He did not say what the offer was.

Ford-Gresham was convicted of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer on March 24, 2017, in Winnebago County, according to the indictment. He also has criminal convictions for promoting prostitution in Will County in 2018 and residential burglary in Cook County in 2007, according to court documents.