Man records police pursue, posts movie to YouTube
Man recorded police pursue, posted movie to YouTube: prosecutors
A seven-minute movie shot by a speeding motorcyclist as he eluded police could end up costing the rider up to six years in prison when he is sentenced Friday.
Hamza Ali Ben Ali was accused of attempting to goad a Westmont officer into a high speed pursue while Ali shot movie from a camera affixed to his Honda CBR 1000. Ali might have gotten away, if the movie hadn`t been uploaded onto YouTube.
«It`s almost like it was a game to him – look at how quick I can go,» said State`s Attorney Robert Berlin, who said his office will seek a prison sentence.
Ali, 31, of Plainfield was found guilty last month in DuPage County of aggravated fleeing and eluding police and driving with a suspended license.
Authorities say the Westmont officer attempted to stop the speeding motorcyclist on Oct. 21, 2012, along Cass Avenue. The YouTube movie shows a police car, lights flashing, following the cycle into a gas station before the cyclist zooms away.
The officer broke off the pursuit but eventually caught up to the cyclist on I-55 before the motorcycle again sped away. There was no license plate on the bike, but the officer spotted the rear-mounted movie camera. Police suspected footage might get posted on YouTube and, sure enough, movie demonstrated up there about two weeks later, which led to Ali`s arrest, authorities said.
Ali`s attorney argued that it was unlikely to say his client was on the motorcycle. But Ali, an Algerian citizen facing U.S. immigration proceedings, was wearing a GPS anklet as a condition of his federal bond, according to prosecutors. He has Cook County convictions for aggravated battery against a police officer and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to court records.
At his trial, authorities were able to sync location information from the anklet to the movie and to movie shot by the police officer. The GPS anklet not only placed Ali on the cycle, but transmitted his speed, which hit one hundred fifteen mph at one point, Assistant State`s Attorney Alex Sendlak said.
The movie, which was shown at trial, shows the cyclist speeding down the highway, zipping inbetween cars and leaving them quickly behind. Several segments display the pursuing squad car trailing far behind.
«There`s nothing funny about it,» Berlin said. «You`re putting the public in danger.»
Ali is facing similar charge charges in Will County for a November Five, 2012, incident in Plainfield where he allegedly attempted to goad another officer into a pursue.
«The driver lifted his helmet, swinged goodbye and accelerated away,» according to DuPage court files.
Man records police pursue, posts movie to YouTube
Man recorded police pursue, posted movie to YouTube: prosecutors
A seven-minute movie shot by a speeding motorcyclist as he eluded police could end up costing the rider up to six years in prison when he is sentenced Friday.
Hamza Ali Ben Ali was accused of attempting to goad a Westmont officer into a high speed pursue while Ali shot movie from a camera affixed to his Honda CBR 1000. Ali might have gotten away, if the movie hadn`t been uploaded onto YouTube.
«It`s almost like it was a game to him – look at how prompt I can go,» said State`s Attorney Robert Berlin, who said his office will seek a prison sentence.
Ali, 31, of Plainfield was found guilty last month in DuPage County of aggravated fleeing and eluding police and driving with a suspended license.
Authorities say the Westmont officer attempted to stop the speeding motorcyclist on Oct. 21, 2012, along Cass Avenue. The YouTube movie shows a police car, lights flashing, following the cycle into a gas station before the cyclist zooms away.
The officer broke off the pursuit but eventually caught up to the cyclist on I-55 before the motorcycle again sped away. There was no license plate on the bike, but the officer witnessed the rear-mounted movie camera. Police suspected footage might get posted on YouTube and, sure enough, movie demonstrated up there about two weeks later, which led to Ali`s arrest, authorities said.
Ali`s attorney argued that it was unlikely to say his client was on the motorcycle. But Ali, an Algerian citizen facing U.S. immigration proceedings, was wearing a GPS anklet as a condition of his federal bond, according to prosecutors. He has Cook County convictions for aggravated battery against a police officer and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to court records.
At his trial, authorities were able to sync location information from the anklet to the movie and to movie shot by the police officer. The GPS anklet not only placed Ali on the cycle, but transmitted his speed, which hit one hundred fifteen mph at one point, Assistant State`s Attorney Alex Sendlak said.
The movie, which was shown at trial, shows the cyclist speeding down the highway, zipping inbetween cars and leaving them quickly behind. Several segments demonstrate the pursuing squad car trailing far behind.
«There`s nothing funny about it,» Berlin said. «You`re putting the public in danger.»
Ali is facing similar charge charges in Will County for a November Five, 2012, incident in Plainfield where he allegedly attempted to goad another officer into a pursue.
«The driver lifted his helmet, swinged goodbye and accelerated away,» according to DuPage court files.