A robbery report at a home in unincorporated Kane County led to a bizarre series of incidents Thursday (Dec. 29, 2016) that included a pit bull attack, tasers, one gunshot and multiple charges filed against a 33-year-old Aurora Township man.

According to a Kane County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies were dispatched at around 11:40 a.m. Thursday to a residence in the 300 block of South Calhoun in unincorporated Aurora Township for a report of a robbery.

The initial investigation indicates that a 30-year-old male from Aurora was invited to come to the residence of Rashaan Strawder, 33, to meet with a female. While inside the residence, the male went with a different female to a room.

The Sheriff’s Office release said Strawder then entered the room with a pit bull and told the man to take off his clothes and empty out his pockets. The man gave Strawder his car keys and ran out of the residence.

“Strawder released the pit bull, but the victim was able to jump a few fences and elude the dog,” the release said.

When deputies arrived, they spoke to Strawder regarding the incident. Reports said Strawder refused to turn over the vehicle keys and engaged in a struggle with sheriff’s deputies. The deputies tried to subdue Strawder with a taser, but he was able to elude capture.

Strawder then ran from the house, opened a backyard fence and released a pit bull.

As deputies tried to apprehend Strawder, the pit bull attacked a deputy, biting the deputy’s foot through his boot. The deputy fired one round from his handgun in the direction of the pit bull, but the bullet did not strike the dog, reports said.

The deputy then “deployed a taser at the dog, which caused the dog to disengage and run into the house,” the news release said.

Using a taser, deputies were able to take Strawder into custody.

One deputy was treated for the dog bite and released from an area hospital. A second deputy was injured in the struggle but did not require medical attention.

The dog was taken to an area veterinarian’s office, where it was confirmed that no bullet struck the animal, reports said.

Strawder was treated by Aurora Township emergency medical staff and released at the scene. Deputies transported him to the Kane County Adult Corrections Center.

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized the following charges against Strawder:

• Aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 felony.
• Resisting a peace office causing injury, a Class 4 felony.
• Robbery, a Class 2 felony
• Battery, misdemeanor.
• Resisting a peace officer, misdemeanor.
• Theft, misdemeanor.
• Disorderly conduct, misdemeanor.
• Obstructing a peace officer, misdemeanor.
• Failure to keep a dangerous animal on a leash or an enclosure, misdemeanor.

A second male, Kelly Dunn, 26, of North Aurora was taken into custody at the residence for an outstanding warrant for contempt of court for failure to pay child support.

Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by Aurora police, Montgomery police and Kane County Animal Control personnel during the incident.

The charges against Strawder are not proof of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Kane County Sheriff’s Office news release