Illinois man allegedly tried to take deputy’s taser while being arrested for fleeing, crashing vehicle

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Wasfi Farooqui, 54

ST. CHARLES, Ill. - A suburban man was charged following a rollover crash in St. Charles Tuesday afternoon.

At about 2:57 p.m., a Kane County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division was notified about a 2022 orange Dodge Charger and its driver, who was wanted for fleeing and driving with a revoked license.

Along with confirmation of the vehicle's location at a BMO Harris Bank at Randall Road and Thornwood Avenue, officers were also provided the license plate of the vehicle and make and model.

When deputies arrived at the bank, they attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle fled the area. Due to the parking lot being busy, deputies did not pursue the vehicle, which exited the parking lot onto Silver Glen Road.

Deputies again attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle continued from Silver Glen Road, southbound to Crane Road.

At Crane Road and Twin Silo’s Drive, the vehicle left the roadway at a high rate of speed and struck a utility pole.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Wasfi Farooqui, 54, of South Elgin, was taken into custody due to outstanding warrants. He was seen by medics, but no injuries were reported.

On Wednesday, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges against Farooqui:

one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (speeding 21+)
one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, causing over $300 worth of damage
one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, disobeying two or more traffic control devices
two counts of criminal damage to property between $500 and $1,000
one count of aggravated assault to a peace officer, attempting to gain access to a deputy's taser during his arrest

Farooqui also faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including: