JOLIET – A 47-year-old man has been charged after allegedly attempting to fire a handgun at a Joliet police officer.
Victor Barakat was arrested on February 13th when officers responded to a tip that a suspect in a bank robbery may be staying at a residence on the 400 block of Timber Pointe Drive. When officers arrived at the house, Barakat identified himself as the suspect and then pointed a handgun at the police officer.
Barakat pulled the trigger of the handgun, but the weapon did not fire. Officers then subdued Barakat and took him into custody. A search of the handgun revealed that it contained live ammunition, but the firing chamber was empty. As officers escorted him to a squad car, Barakat reportedly attempted to remove a police officer’s holstered firearm. However, officers were able to prevent him from doing so.
Barakat has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, disarming a police officer, and two counts of aggravated assault. He is being held in federal custody on a $2.5 million warrant. The case is ongoing.
