Three men are facing charges after Chicago police say they threatened a CBS News Chicago crew that was preparing for a live report near Adler Planetarium on Monday afternoon — an incident that included racial slurs, a dog ordered to attack a crew member, and a police pursuit that ended in Brighton Park with a rifle recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.
What happened
According to police, the incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. in the 900 block of East Solidarity Drive, as a reporter and photographer from CBS News Chicago were setting up for the station’s 4 p.m. newscast.
Authorities said one of the suspects shouted racial slurs at the crew and ordered a dog to attack a 54-year-old crew member. The dog did not ultimately attack, police said, but the suspect went on to throw the victim’s property to the ground, damaging it in the process. No injuries were reported.
The group then fled the scene in a white pickup truck, triggering a police pursuit that ended near West 36th Street and South California Avenue in Brighton Park. Officers arrested all three men at the scene and recovered a rifle from the vehicle, according to police.
Who’s been charged
Jon Twist, 37, of Chicago — faces a felony hate crime charge, along with criminal damage to property (between $500 and $10,000) and misdemeanor resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Police say Twist is the suspect accused of shouting slurs and ordering the dog to attack.
William Huerta, 41, of Chicago Ridge — charged with felony fleeing/eluding police, two misdemeanor counts of aggravated assault, misdemeanor reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and multiple traffic violations.
Rafael Salinas, 29, of Chicago — charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, criminal damage to property (between $10,000 and $100,000), misdemeanor reckless conduct, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Police also noted Salinas had two outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest.
All three suspects are scheduled to appear for detention hearings on July 2.
Why it matters
Attacks or threats against journalists actively reporting the news — especially when compounded by hate-crime allegations — raise serious public safety concerns, both for media workers doing their jobs and for the broader community. The case will likely draw continued attention as it moves through Cook County’s court system.
This is a developing story. ChitownCrimechasers-CCC will provide updates following Wednesday’s detention hearings.
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