Police seek Sterling man tied to beer bottle attack

STERLING - The Sterling Police Department has issued warrants and is asking the public's help in finding Erik W. Dunaven. Dunaven, 32, of Sterling is wanted on one count of armed violence, punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison, and two counts of aggravated battery, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison. Dunaven, who was paroled from prison in August, also is wanted by the Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation. On Oct. 10, Dunaven allegedly argued with a 23-year-old Aurora man in an alley in the 600 block between Locust Street and First Avenue in Sterling, according to court documents. During the argument, Dunaven allegedly threw a beer bottle at the man and cut him in the back. Dunaven told officers last week he would turn himself in over the weekend, which he failed to do. Sterling Police Officer Charles Bowman said the department has not had contact with Dunaven since Wednesday. Dunaven has a long history of felony and misdemeanor offenses in Whiteside County. In April, Dunaven was sentenced to 33 months in prison for a standoff with Sterling Police in September 2007. Dunaven again was wanted on Whiteside County and Department of Corrections warrants and police tracked him to a house at 1305 Griswold Ave., where they suspected Dunaven had a handgun. After police were unable to get Dunaven to leave the house, canisters of tear gas were thrown into the house and Dunaven surrendered. In 2006, Dunaven was sentenced to 3 years for felony obstruction, for his role in what was originally thought to be the kidnapping of a woman from a party in Dixon. Kidnapping charges against the woman's boyfriend and three accomplices, including Dunaven, later were dropped when the woman recanted; he was sentenced only for obstruction. In 1998, Dunaven was convicted of escaping from a peace officer and aggravated battery in a public place, and sentenced to 5 years. In 1997, he was convicted of aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer, and was sentenced to 3 years. As of Sept. 24, Dunaven's address was 1502 Dillon Ave., in Sterling. Dunaven is 5 feet 11 inches tall and has brown hair and eyes. He has two teardrop tattoos on his face. Dunaven is considered dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dunaven can call the Sterling Police Department at 815-632-6640 or the Whiteside County Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867 or toll-free at 877-625-7867.