Latest news with #LakeCountySheriff'sOffice
Chicago Tribune
12 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Law & Order column: Man guilty in hit-and-run pedestrian death
An Arlington Heights man has pleaded guilty to a charge related to the 2022 hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in Lake Zurich, according to Lake County prosecutors and court records. Gary Bozza, 68, pleaded guilty to a felony count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash in a negotiated plea with Lake County prosecutors. Authorities said Bozza struck and killed a man named Jose Portillo at 11:43 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2022, along South Rand Road. Police had responded to the 700 block after receiving reports of someone walking in the roadway. An officer arrived and saw a dark SUV strike the man later identified as Portillo. Portillo, who was in his late 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene. After an investigation by authorities, a Lake County grand jury indicted Bozza in January of 2024. Under the terms of the sentence, Bozza was placed on probation for 30 months and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, according to court records. He was also ordered to pay about $3,000 in fines and costs. In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped the more serious charge of failure to report a crash involving death. Holiday patrols It seems like the Fourth of July has arrived suddenly. Lots of folks will probably be on the road since the holiday is creating a three-day weekend, and local police departments are alerting motorists that there will be a visible law enforcement presence. Many local departments have announced that they will be increasing enforcement over the holiday period. Waukegan police have stepped up enforcement for things like impaired and unbelted motorists, a campaign that will extend through the holiday weekend. The Lake County Sheriff's Office, and police in Gurnee and Mundelein are among other agencies across the county and state that are participating. So, as the saying goes, drive sober or get pulled over. Meanwhile, Waukegan and Gurnee police, along with their counterparts in Lake Villa and Lindenhurst, will participate in a regional safety initiative effort on Tuesday that is centered on the Illinois Route 132/Grand Avenue corridor. 'Drivers traveling along Route 132 can expect increased police presence and high visibility enforcement throughout the day. But the ultimate goal isn't writing tickets. It is to change behavior, reduce crashes, and save lives,' Waukegan police said in a social media post. Underage alcohol sales Local police agencies recently completed a spring sweep of area businesses that sell alcohol to ensure they are not selling to underage customers. The Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force said it worked with nine police departments. Young adults carrying identification that showed they were younger than 21 entered 159 establishments to attempt to buy liquor. The underage buyers were turned away at most businesses, though there were eight violations reported. In North Chicago, police noted four violations at the 10 businesses checked. 'Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives,' Task Force Chairman Steve Husak said. 'Our desire is to see 100% compliance, but it is refreshing to see that nearly 95% of the businesses that were checked realize the seriousness of this issue and did not sell alcohol to the underage participants.' No violations were reported at the 102 establishments that were checked in Antioch, Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Lake Forest and Lake Zurich. Knife threat charge A man with a previous conviction for stabbing a roommate was arrested this month on charges that he threatened three people with a knife, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Joshua W. Marksberry was taken into custody Wednesday night following an incident earlier that day at a home in the 15900 block of West Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth. The sheriff's office said it was called at about 9:40 a.m. after witnesses reported that Marksberry, who lives at the address, had pulled a knife on a victim and threatened them and another resident of the property. Marksberry fled on foot, police said, and a man matching his description was seen at about 8:30 p.m. near Wadsworth and Dilleys Road. Police located Marksberry in a tent in a nearby wooded area, and he was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. According to court records, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2018 for aggravated battery.
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Law & Order column: Lake County State's Attorney will not ask about individual's immigration status
In the wake of increased national immigration enforcement by federal agencies, Lake County State's Atty. Eric Rinehart issued a statement recently saying that his office will not ask about an individual's immigration status, especially people who are crime victims. Rinehart's office issued the statement on June 13, saying in part that LCSAO will not share immigration status information with federal authorities unless presented with a valid warrant. 'The Lake County State's Attorney's Office is dedicated to serving all residents of Lake County and upholding justice for EVERY victim — regardless of immigration status — with a trauma-informed approach built on the principles of trust and safety,' Rinehart said. 'It is imperative that victims and witnesses feel safe to report crimes so that perpetrators don't go unpunished. We won't have safe and healthy communities if people are afraid to contact the police or cooperate with the prosecutor's office.' Rinehart said his office operates under the Trust Act, which was signed into law by former Gov. Bruce Rauner and limits cooperation between state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration. His office, Rinehart, said, will not ask about or require immigration documentation and does not keep records of immigration status. * Lake County Sheriff's Office and other area detectives concluded an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Park City man on drugs and weapons charges. Marital D. Hayes, 39, of the 700 block of Chestnut Avenue, was taken into custody after police conducted a search at his home and found crack cocaine and other drugs along with a loaded firearm. As a convicted felon, Hayes cannot legally possess a gun, police said. He was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and illegal possession of a firearm. The Special Investigations Group, a federally funded sheriff's office task force, began investigating Hayes after developing information that he was selling drugs. Detectives working undercover said that Hayes was selling heroin laced with fentanyl and crack cocaine. Gurnee and Park City police officers aided the investigation. Prosecutors are seeking to have Hayes detained until trial, police said. * Lake County authorities have identified the man who was struck and killed by a vehicle this week in Gurnee near Six Flags amusement park. The deceased was identified as Richard Bennett, 59, of Gurnee. Bennett was struck by a vehicle as he walked along Washington Street near Illinois Route 21 at around 10:05 p.m. Monday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorist who struck Bennett remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, police said. Police said they are not sure why Bennett was walking along the road but they think he lived in the area. * The Lake County Sheriff's Department Auxiliary Unit was recently recognized by the county board for its volunteerism and commitment to public safety. Last year, auxiliary deputies contributed more than 13,000 hours of community service, which the sheriff's office said saved taxpayers more than $700,000. The auxiliary deputies perform a number of services, including providing support services like traffic direction at accident and crime scenes, as well as assisting in missing persons and evidence searches. Auxiliary deputies undergo 145 hours of training. 'Every year, our Auxiliary Deputies go above and beyond, whether aiding in emergencies or fostering community spirit at events,' Sheriff John Idleburg said. 'Their commitment, professionalism, and compassion profoundly enhance public safety, community resilience, and we are very grateful for their service.'
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Gurnee-area man, who allegedly expressed a desire to kill someone, charged with shooting family member in face
An 18-year-old Gurnee-area man, who reportedly had expressed a desire to kill someone, is in custody after he allegedly shot a family member in the face, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities identified him as Francis Lodesky of the 34000 block of Illinois Route 21. Police said they were called to the residence at about 8:35 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports that someone had been shot. Arriving officers found a 61-year-old man who is related to Lodesky with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to an area hospital and is expected to survive, police said. Police said the man was in his bedroom talking on the phone when Lodesky entered the room and shot him in the face with a .410-caliber revolver loaded with birdshot. Officers recovered the gun, along with 50 others at the residence. The firearms were removed and placed into evidence, police said. 'Based on information gathered thus far, the shooting appears to be unprovoked and Lodesky had the desire to kill someone,' the sheriff's office said in a media release. Lodesky was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Students escape injury in Beach Park crash involving school bus
A Zion man may have suffered a medical emergency before his SUV struck four other vehicles, including a school bus, Tuesday morning in Beach Park, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said. The man, 74, was brought to a hospital in critical condition following the crash, which occurred at about 8 a.m. near the Sheridan Road and Michigan Boulevard intersection. Police said the man was headed north on Sheridan Road when his GMC SUV struck the activated stop arm of a school bus that was picking up students. The vehicle then sideswiped a Ford Focus, sending the vehicle into a utility pole. The SUV then hit two more southbound vehicles, one being driven by a Winthrop Harbor man and the other by a Fox Lake woman. There were only two students on the bus, and neither of them nor the driver was hurt. The children boarding the bus were also uninjured. The Focus driver, a 49-year-old Beach Park man, and the Fox Lake woman suffered serious injuries, but they are not considered life-threatening, police said. The crash remains under investigation.
Chicago Tribune
30-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Law & Order column: Zion man charged in restaurant robbery
Authorities say that they have charged a Zion man for an armed robbery of a fast-food restaurant in Beach Park. Shane L. Lones, 41, of the 1800 block of Jethro Avenue, was arrested by Lake County Sheriff's Office detectives on May 23, the day after the robbery in the 38900 block of North Lewis. Police said that a man entered the restaurant at about 7:35 p.m. on May 22 and produced a knife before taking money from the cash register and fleeing. Neither employee at the business was hurt. Detectives traced several leads that indicated Lones was the perpetrator, including security camera footage that shows Lones entering a nearby vehicle after the hold-up, police said. The following day, detectives found Lones in his car near his residence and took him into custody. A subsequent search turned up clothing police say Lones wore during the robbery. He has been charged with one count of armed robbery, and was ordered detained until trial, according to court records. Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek recently earned her master's degree in health administration, which she said she hopes will help her perform her duties. Banek, who is an advanced practice nurse, completed her degree through George Washington University. 'As both an advanced practice nurse and a public official, I pursued this degree to better advocate for systemic improvements, enhance interagency coordination, and bring forward-thinking leadership to my office and to Lake County as a whole,' she said. Lake County Board Chairman Sandy Hart lauded the coroner. 'Jennifer's pursuit of an MHA is a testament to her commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure in Lake County,' Hart said. 'Her clinical background, combined with advanced administrative training, gives her a unique and powerful perspective as our coroner.' State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said Banek's investment in advanced education, 'shows the kind of proactive leadership that builds stronger, healthier communities. We applaud her initiative and look forward to even deeper collaboration between our departments.' Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myrha is the guest on the latest episode of the 'Discovering Grayslake' podcast. Myhra, according to the podcast, discusses his life in law enforcement, and 'his passion for fostering a safe, connected community.' Myhra was appointed chief in August 2024 after serving as deputy chief for 10 years. He started as a community service officer in 1997, and worked his way up through the ranks before replacing Phil Perlini, who retired. A link to the podcast is available on the Grayslake police Facebook page. The city of Highland Park held a reception to recognize the law enforcement, first responders and medical professionals who provided emergency care to a man suffering a heart attack this spring. The city presented commendations to Office Ginger Stokes and dentist Dr. Michael Czarkowski, and recognized the professionalism and lifesaving contributions of Highland Park firefighter/EMTs Kevin Best, Andrew Beverly, Trevor Mount, and Nick Traske, and Dr. Benjamin Feinzimer of Endeavor Health's Physician Response Vehicle Program. August Swanenberg, who suffered the medical emergency and is recovering, was on hand at the City Council chambers. He was leaving the Chicago Botanical Garden on March 11 when he suffered a cardiac event while driving. Stokes used her department-issued defibrillator and, along with bystanders, including Czarkowski and paramedics, was able to re-establish Swanenberg's heartbeat. 'I am one lucky bird,' Swanenberg told the City Council and members of the audience at the May 27 event.
