Ill. man chokes correctional officer in escape attempt

Inmate charged with attempted murder and ordered held on $500,000 bond

Chicago Sun Times

CHICAGO — A man who choked a jail worker with his handcuffs while trying to escape from Aurora's police lockup has been charged with attempted murder, police said.

Prosecutors said Homero Morales, 45, of Aurora, was handcuffed with his arms in front of him when he overpowered a 52-year-old corrections officer during the bonding process. Morales made it out of the building, but the corrections officer tackled him, and Morales used the chain on his handcuffs to choke the officer, police said.

Aurora police intervened and took Morales back into custody. He was charged with attempted murder and ordered held on $500,000 bond. The corrections officer broke a thumb.