Terrorism charge against SUV driver in suburban Chicago mall

The Associated Press

5 years ago

The damaged storefront of the Sears store at Woodfield Mall is seen after a man drove an SUV in ... — The damaged storefront of the Sears store at Woodfield Mall is seen after a man drove an SUV into the store in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via AP)

A state police officer stands outside of a Woodfield Mall entrance after a man drove an SUV into a Sears store in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via AP)

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — A man accused of driving an SUV through a suburban Chicago shopping mall is facing a state terrorism charge, authorities announced Sunday.

Police in Schaumburg announced early Sunday morning that the Cook County state’s attorney had authorized the charge against Javier Garcia, 22, of Palatine, Illinois. Garcia also was charged with felony criminal damage to property. Garcia was scheduled to appear in bond court on Sunday.

Under Illinois law, the Class X felony of terrorism can apply if the suspect is believed to have caused more than $100,000 in damage to any building containing five or more businesses, according to a statement issued by Schaumburg Police Sgt. Karen McCarthy. No federal charges have been brought against Garcia.

Investigators said in a statement that they “believe Garcia acted alone, no motive has been determined.” He was released to police custody on Friday from the AMITA Health Behavioral Institute.

Video of the Sept. 20 incident posted on social media shows shoppers running for safety in the corridors of the Woodfield Mall as the black Chevy Trailblazer plowed through.

The SUV’s driver entered the mall by smashing through the front door of a Sears store. Video shows the SUV drove over a kiosk and struck a Forever 21 store. Garcia was immediately arrested after jumping from the vehicle.

Shortly after the incident, Schaumburg Police Chief Bill Wolf said the suspect may have been suffering from a medical condition.