Female deputy tackles, 'embarrasses' escapee

Chicago Tribune

April 19, 2010 7:42 PM

An Ohio man tried to flee a Cook County courtroom this morning, but was stymied by a female courtroom deputy who tackled him before he could escape.

Robert Biggs, 31, later "did admit to some embarrassment that he was taken down by a female deputy," said Steve Patterson, spokesman for the Cook County sheriff's office.

Biggs, of Dublin, Ohio, had been arrested by Chicago police last week and charged with armed robbery, among other crimes, Patterson said. He was attending an extradition hearing today at about 11:30 a.m. in the Cook County Criminal Courthouse.

In the middle of the hearing, Biggs suddenly broke for the door, Patterson said. The courtroom was separated from the hallway by heavy double-doors, one of which was unlocked, the other of which was not.

"He hit the one that was locked and when he hit it, he did do some damage to it," Patterson said. Biggs bounced back momentarily and just as he tried to get through the other door, the courtroom deputy, who was coming from outside the courtroom, tackled him.

Ohio records show Biggs served four years in prison there on charges including receiving stolen property and escape. He was released on supervision in November 2009.

Chicago police arrested him Wednesday in a motel near 100th and Halsted Streets after he barricaded himself in a room, police said.

Earlier in the day, officers had stopped a car in the 8600 block of South Halsted Street and the driver -- identified as Eric Rawson, 20, of Columbus, Ohio -- ran.

After officers arrested him, they found he had a handgun with him that authorities believe was stolen in a carjacking in Ohio, police said. Under questioning, Rawson told investigators that two accomplices who robbed a hair salon earlier in the day were staying at a motel nearby.

When officers arrived, they arrested one of the accomplices, Kristina Hickman, 20, of Dublin, Ohio. Hickman has been charged with armed robbery, drug possession, possession of ammunition without a FOID card and criminal trespass, police said.

Biggs barricaded himself in a motel room, and after several hours of negotiations, police forced their way in and arrested him. He was later charged with armed robbery, resisting a police officer, possession of a replica firearm, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, police said.

Rawson was charged with armed robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, failure to register a firearm, possession of a gun without a FOID card and possession of ammunition without a FOID card.

After he was captured, Biggs reportedly asked if he would be charged with escape or attempted escape, "because I've been through this before," Patterson said.

When told the charge would likely be attempted escape because the deputy foiled his flight, Biggs expressed his embarrassment.

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http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/cook-county-sheriff-court-room-criminal-chicago-police-robert-biggs-ohio.html

"She hits really hard," Biggs reportedly said.