CHICAGO (WLS) — Three men have been charged after Chicago police said a CBS2 Chicago news crew was confronted near the Adler Planetarium by a group of men who allegedly tried to sic a dog on them while shouting racial slurs. Officials announced the charges Wednesday.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
According to police, several men exited a white truck Monday as the photographer and reporter were preparing for their 4 p.m. broadcast. Investigators said the men directed a dog toward the journalists and yelled racial slurs at them.
Police said Tuesday that three people of interest had been taken in for questioning.
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The men charged were identified as William Huerta, 41, of Chicago Ridge; Rafael Salinas, 29, of Chicago; and Jon Twist, 37, of Chicago. Each faces multiple charges, police said.
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Twist has been charged with a hate crime and criminal damage to property, according to Chicago police. Huerta and Salinas face several charges, including aggravated battery and assault.
Investigators said that when the dog did not attack the crew, one of the men became upset and threw the crew’s camera equipment onto the ground. Police said another man then shattered the windshield of the CBS2 Chicago live truck.
The reporter and photographer were not hurt in the incident.
CBS2 Chicago addressed the incident in a statement Monday night, saying, “We are shocked and horrified by this crime and we are grateful that our journalists are safe.”
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