Illinois homeowner arrested after chasing dirtbike teens off his property, causing crash

LEE COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — A homeowner has been charged after allegedly pursuing teens on dirtbikes who were trespassing in his backyard. Police said he chased them three miles in a UTV and onto private property, where he caused a crash and was subsequently charged with trespassing himself.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Max Muetze, 38, called police around 5:40 p.m. on Monday, April 15th, reporting trespassers on his property in the 1000 block of Inlet Road.

While deputies were en route, Muetze got in a side-by-side utility vehicle and went after the three juvenile offenders, who were on dirtbikes.

The trio separated and Muetze reportedly pursued one, pulling up next to the boy three times to get him to stop, police said.

The chase continued into the Richardson Wildlife Foundation property, where Muetze allegedly rear-ended the dirtbike, causing the boy to crash, before slamming into a tree himself.

The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment and was then released.

Muetze now faces charges of Reckless Driving, Aggravated Reckless Driving, and Trespassing.

The teen will be issued a trespassing violation at a later date, police said.

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