Robert Cunningham of Danville, was found guilty June 6, 2023, by a Vermilion County jury of
Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer, a class 2 felony and Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to
Elude a Peace Officer, a class 4 felony.
The jury heard evidence that on May 5, 2021, around 2:00 p.m., Cunningham, led Tilton Police
on chase after causing a disturbance at the Tilton Village Hall. Tilton Police Chief Phillip
Bernardi attempted to pull Cunningham over, but Cunningham fled past a dead end and on to a
sidewalk path, through a parking lot, driving on the wrong side of streets, disobeying stop signs,
and reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour on Georgetown Road. The chase ended when
Cunningham got his vehicle stuck in a ditch. Cunningham was arrested and secured in a police
vehicle. Soon after that, Cunningham managed to move his hand-cuffed hands from behind his
back to the front of his body and lured Chief Bernardi into opening the back door of the police
vehicle. Witnesses stated this is when Cunningham “launched” himself at Chief Bernardi,
leading to a fight on the side of the road, which was witnessed by several people.
Circuit Judge Thomas O’Shaughnessy presided over the jury trial, and will sentence
Cunningham on August 8, 2023.