Chicago Heights man charged with running over woman in parking lot
A Chicago Heights man is charged with running over his estranged wife.
Maurice Spencer, 39, is charged with causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, criminal recklessness and three misdemeanors.
He is in custody, held on a $5,000 cash bond.
Schererville Police responded on Tuesday to the 800 block of W. Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), in the Crossings of Schererville parking lot.
The woman’s son told police that Spencer arrived to fix his flat tire.
She and Spencer had gotten into an “intense” argument. On the way out, the woman was hanging halfway out of a white Dodge Durango when Spencer sped out of the parking lot.
In the process, she fell out of the SUV and Spencer ran her over, according to court documents.
Spencer told police he didn’t realize she was halfway in the vehicle when he sped off. He said he drank a “couple” of beers. A breathalyzer indicated he was above the legal limit.
The woman told police that she was with her two kids and called Spencer for a ride after he got a flat. She was reaching into the vehicle to get her purse and phone when he pulled off.
She didn’t think it was “intentional,” court records show.
She had a broken shoulder and fractured pelvis, court records state.
Charges added in Jimmijion Bailey slaying
Lake County prosecutors added more charges Friday in Jimmijion Bailey’s October 2024 death.
Ralph Stokes is charged with murder in 25-year-old Bailey’s shooting death on Oct. 5, 2024. The man’s decapitated body was found Oct. 11, 2024, on the 2300 block of Clay Street with his arms and knees bound with black tape.
Bailey’s relatives said he dated Stokes’ child’s mother for a few weeks and his death was driven by jealousy.
Stokes and two other women have been charged in connection with the case. All have pleaded not guilty.
Stokes is now charged with obstruction of justice, in addition to murder and a gun enhancement.
After the slaying, authorities said Stokes had help to dispose of the body.
Betty Tomlinson, the girlfriend’s mother, now is charged also with obstruction of justice, altering the scene of a death, and two misdemeanors.
She is still charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson and assisting a criminal.
Ralph Stokes’ mother Antoinette Stokes, 54, was charged in the case Wednesday.
She faces felony arson, obstruction of justice, altering the scene of a death charges, and two misdemeanors – failure to notify authorities of the discovery of a dead body and failure to report human remains.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
mcolias@post-tribune.com