3 men charged after local news crew attacked near Adler Planetarium, Chicago police say

Updated 2 hours ago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police said three men are facing charges after a CBS2 Chicago news crew was confronted by a group of men who attempted to set a dog on them while yelling racial slurs, near the Adler Planetarium Monday, officials announced Wednesday.

Police said an undetermined number of men got out of a white truck and directed a dog toward the news photographer and reporter as they were setting up for their 4 p.m. broadcast on Monday. Officers said the men also yelled racial slurs at the crew.

Three persons of interest had been questioned, police said Tuesday.



William Huerta, 41 of Chicago Ridge, Rafael Salinas, 29 of Chicago, and Jon Twist, 37 of Chicago, are each facing multiple charges, police said.



Twist's charges include hate crime and criminal damage to property, CPD said. Huerta and Salinas are facing several other charges, including aggravated battery and assault.

When the dog did not attack on Monday, police said one of the men became angry and threw the crew's camera equipment to the ground. Another man then smashed the windshield of the CBS2 Chicago live truck, police said.

The news photographer and reporter were not injured.

CBS2 Chicago addressed the incident in a statement Monday night, saying, "We are shocked and horrified by this crime and we are grateful that our journalists are safe."

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