LEE COUNTY, Ill. — A Lee County man was arrested and charged with aggravated reckless driving after chasing a juvenile trespasser off of his property for three miles and striking the juvenile's dirt bike with his UTV.
On Monday, April 15, Lee County deputies were dispatched to the 1000 block of Inlet Road at 5:40 p.m. after a homeowner reported trespassers on his property.
According to Lee County Sheriff Clay Wheelan, while authorities were en route, the homeowner, driving a side-by-side utility vehicle, followed the three juveniles fleeing the property on dirt bikes. The homeowner followed one of the juveniles for three miles and eventually rear-ended the juvenile's dirt bike, causing the juvenile to crash. The homeowner subsequently struck a tree and damaged the UTV.
The juvenile sustained minor injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital to be treated.
The incident ended three miles away from where it began, on the private property of the Richardson Wildlife Foundation.
The homeowner, identified as Max Muetze, 38, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, aggravated reckless driving and trespassing for trespassing on Richardson Wildlife Foundation property.
The juvenile will be issued trespassing ordinance Violation.
Citizens are reminded to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 284-6631 or Crime stoppers at 1-888-CAUGHT-U. Callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.
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