Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Suspect arrested, charged after attempting to break-in to multiple homes in Lake in the Hills

Posted: 07 Jun 2022 08:07 AM PDT

A subject, who has now been identified, attempted to enter homes in Lake in the Hills early in the morning on May 28, 2022, police said. | Provided Photo

Police say they have identified and charged a suspect who tried entering homes in Lake in the Hills late last month but fled after being confronted by a homeowner.

Justin J. Schneck, 30, a transient, was charged with two counts of attempted criminal trespass to residence and cited for trespassing.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department said that a subject attempted to enter homes on Wright Drive in Lake in the Hills around 3:50 a.m. on May 28.

A homeowner confronted the man in their garage and he fled the scene.

The police department said that the subject’s motives were unclear but officers were investigating to “ensure the safety of our community.”

A video posted by a resident on the Ring app showed the man walking up to the front porch of a residence and attempting to open the home’s front door.

Officers conducted increased patrols in the area following the incident.

It is unknown how many residences the suspect attempted to enter. In one instance, he did enter a garage.

Police issued a public statement following the incident seeking information from residents.

After investigating numerous tips from the public and through the work of officers, Schneck was identified, the police department said Tuesday.

Schneck is currently in the custody of Stephenson County Sheriff's Office for an unrelated incident.

“The Lake in the Hills Police Department would like to thank everyone who submitted a tip pertaining to this case and the community members who shared our statement to help bring awareness to this case,” the department said.

Family, pets escape without injury after house fire that caused $150,000 in damage in Algonquin

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 06:40 PM PDT

Firefighters respond to a house fire in the 1000 block of Par Drive in Algonquin that caused heavy damage to a garage Monday evening. | Photo: Tyler Tobolt / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Fire officials say that residents and pets were able to escape after a fire started in the garage of a home in Algonquin, causing $150,000 in damage Monday evening.

The Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 5:15 p.m. Monday to the 1000 block of Par Drive in Algonquin for a report of a structure fire.

Huntley Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Fortunato said firefighters arrived to find a two-story home with smoke showing from the front of the structure.

Fire crews completed an initial fire attack on an attached garage using a hose line from their engine and secured water from a nearby fire hydrant.

Firefighters respond to a house fire in the 1000 block of Par Drive in Algonquin that caused heavy damage to a garage Monday evening. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

The first arriving company officer was able to confirm that all occupants were out of the building, Fortunato said.

A second hose line was deployed inside the house to prevent the fire from extending to the interior of the home.

A search for victims was initiated in conjunction with the fire attack, Fortunato said.

The search was completed and no other occupants were found. All occupants were able to self-evacuate prior to the fire department’s arrival.

Firefighters respond to a house fire in the 1000 block of Par Drive in Algonquin that caused heavy damage to a garage Monday evening. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

The main body of the fire was in the attached garage of the home.

Fortunato said the fire did not extend beyond the home and was brought under control quickly.

Fire crews completed overhaul to confirm the fire had not spread beyond the garage and first floor.

Heavy smoke damage was found throughout the house. One vehicle in the garage was destroyed in the blaze.

Firefighters respond to a house fire in the 1000 block of Par Drive in Algonquin that caused heavy damage to a garage Monday evening. | Photo: Alex Vucha / Lake and McHenry County Scanner

No injuries were reported at the time of the fire and family pets were safely removed.

Firefighters from Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Hampshire and Woodstock responded to the scene to assist and cover Huntley fire stations.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the initial loss estimate to the structure and contents is $150,000.

The home was equipped with working smoke detectors. The home was deemed uninhabitable due to the damage.

Woman charged with kicking, biting and spitting at multiple officers during arrest in Waukegan

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 05:07 PM PDT

Destinee A. Sotomayor, 25, of Zion.

A 25-year-old woman was arrested after prosecutors say she bit, spit at and kicked multiple officers who tried to arrest her in Waukegan Sunday.

Destinee A. Sotomayor, 25, of the 2700 block of 17th Street in Zion, was charged with three counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer, two counts of criminal damage to property and one count of resisting a peace officer.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said during a bond hearing that Waukegan police officers were flagged down by a witness on Sunday.

Officers observed the witness arguing with Sotomayor.

The officers also observed Sotomayor smash windows of vehicles in the witness’ driveway, Katris said.

The officers told Sotomayor to stop but she refused and they attempted to arrest her.

Sotomayor allegedly spat in one officer’s face twice. She also bit another officer’s thumb, Katris said.

As officers tried to lift Sotomayor off the ground after handcuffing her, she kicked an officer in the chest, Katris said.

Sotomayor also allegedly kicked a police sergeant in the chest.

Katris said the police sergeant went to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan for treatment.

One of the officers involved sustained abrasions on the neck and throat and the other officer had a swollen thumb.

Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Sotomayor held on a $150,000 bond.

She remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $15,000 cash in order to be released.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29.

At least 2 vehicles stolen, multiple others burglarized overnight in Antioch neighborhoods

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 02:50 PM PDT

Surveillance video shows a suspect involved in stealing and burglarizing cars in Antioch early Monday morning. | Provided Photo

Police are seeking information from the public after multiple vehicles were stolen and burglarized in different subdivisions in Antioch early Monday morning.

Village of Antioch Communication Specialist Jim Moran said the crimes happened in the overnight hours from Sunday into Monday morning.

The Neuhaven, Clublands, and Redwing subdivisions in Antioch were targeted, Moran said.

A total of five vehicles were reported to police as part of the overnight crime.

Two cars were reported to have been rummaged through with minimal items taken and a third vehicle was burglarized of softball equipment.

Two other vehicles were reported stolen. Those vehicles are a gray 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Illinois registration AF84584 and a blue 2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL with Illinois registration CA85263.

Police have security camera footage of one of the offenders and a screenshot of two offenders.

Moran said it is unknown if they are the same or different subjects due to the clarity of the video.

Surveillance video shows a suspect involved in stealing and burglarizing cars in Antioch early Monday morning. | Provided Photo

Investigators are asking residents who live in the neighborhoods where the crimes occurred to check their security camera footage.

Antioch Police Chief Geoff Guttschow said residents should share any suspicious activity caught on surveillance video with the police department.

Guttschow underscored the importance of residents locking their cars at night.

“Adding a few simple tasks before bed will help people from becoming a victim of crime,” he said.

The Antioch Police Department has been encouraging residents to participate in the “9 p.m. Routine,” a nightly routine that promotes checking locks on doors and windows.

Residents are also encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Anyone who spots either of the stolen vehicles is asked to immediately notify the police.

Anyone with any additional information related to the crimes, including those with security camera video, should call the Antioch Police Department’s dispatch center at 847-270-9111 or by emailing crime@antioch.il.gov.

2 U.S. Military members based in Lake County killed in murder-suicide in Wheeling

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 01:55 PM PDT

File Photo – Wheeling Police Department | Photo via Facebook

Two active-duty U.S. Military members who are based in Lake County, including one who lived in Gurnee, were both killed in a murder-suicide shooting in Wheeling, police said.

Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Al Steffen said officers responded around 4:50 a.m. Sunday to a 911 call for a person down in the roadway near Lakeview Drive and Buffalo Grove Road in Wheeling.

Responding officers found two individuals — a male and a female — who were both deceased.

The two had gunshot wounds and a handgun was also found in close proximity, Steffen said.

The two were identified Monday as Travis Stephens, 37, and Ajah Barnes, 26.

Stephens and Barnes were active-duty military and assigned to Naval Station Great Lakes base near North Chicago, Steffen said.

Stephens was residing in the 1500 block of Hunter Drive in Wheeling and Barnes, a Gurnee resident, was visiting him.

Steffen said that it was determined from witness interviews that Stephens and Barnes were in a relationship.

The two had an argument overheard by several people.

The argument spilled into the parking lot where damage was done to each other’s vehicles.

Steffen said that Barnes left on foot and Stephens returned to his apartment, retrieved a handgun and went looking for Barnes.

Steffen said that evidence shows Stephens fatally shot Barnes and then fatally shot himself.

The Northern Illinois Crime Laboratory will be used to conduct a thorough analysis of all items recovered and the results will be shared with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

U.S. Naval authorities were contacted and assisted in making notification to the families of Stephens and Barnes.

Steffen said that investigators will continue to piece together what occurred over the previous hours leading up to the incident.

There is no threat to the community, he added.

Gov. Pritzker signs legislation that will require life rings along Lake Michigan in effort to prevent drownings in Illinois

Posted: 06 Jun 2022 12:18 PM PDT

A rescue boat is seen on Lake Michigan in Lake County searching for a missing woman on November 5, 2018. | Photo: Max Weingardt / File

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a bill into law that will require life rings to be placed along Lake Michigan in Illinois in an effort to prevent drownings.

House Bill 4165, also called the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, was filed in October by Illinois Rep. Kelly Cassidy.

The bill states that the owner of a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan will be required to install public rescue equipment, including life ring buoys, on each of the owner’s piers and drop-offs.

That includes beaches and other access points.

The bill also states public rescue equipment should be installed in all high-incident drowning areas.

Local governments that own a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan would in addition be required to track both fatal and non-fatal drownings and report them to the health department.

Pritzker signed the bill into law on Thursday, his office said.

“The stories of recent drownings on Lake Michigan are both tragic and preventable,” Pritzker said.

“This law will protect countless families from experiencing those same terrible losses and ensure a safer Lake Michigan for the thousands of Illinoisans who enjoy it every year,” he added.

The Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act was proposed following the death of 19-year-old Miguel Cisneros, who drowned in Lake Michigan in August 2021.

Cisneros' family and activists in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago advocated for increased water safety measures after his death and several other incidents in recent years.

2020 was one of the deadliest summers on Lake Michigan in recent years with 56 drowning deaths recorded.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a water safety advocacy group, cites Lake Michigan as the Great Lake with the highest rate of drownings.

“This is great progress toward a safer Lake Michigan shoreline, with so many more life rings becoming available,” said Jamie Racklyeft, Executive Director, Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium.

“This successful bill can now serve as a template for other Great Lakes states, counties, communities, and parks interested in ways to keep their residents and visitors safer around the water,” Racklyeft said.