An accused murderer who escaped from electronic monitoring in Chicago last week, then allegedly pulled a gun on sheriff’s deputies in Ohio, has been arrested in West Virginia, authorities said.
Juan Torkelson, 27, reportedly went AWOL from the Cook County Sheriff’s electronic monitoring program on October 27. That same day, Torkelson allegedly pulled a gun on sheriff’s deputies who pulled him over for a motor vehicle violation in Madison County, Ohio.
Torkelson sped from the scene, crashed, and then escaped on foot, Madison County Sheriff John R. Swaney said.
Now, Torkelson is back behind bars in Raleigh County, West Virginia. U.S. Marshals apprehended him there on Tuesday, according to Swaney and jail records. Swaney did not provide any other details about the apprehension. Torkelson is being held as a fugitive from justice.
Accused murder released for $10K
Cook County prosecutors charged Torkelson with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder on May 30. Police say he stabbed four men, killing one, following a minor traffic accident in the Portage Park neighborhood on November 11, 2019
Despite the serious allegations, a Cook County judge decided to let Torkelson get out of jail on electronic monitoring by posting just $10,000 bond.
There is no word on when Torkelson will be returned to Cook County.
