McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Three Car Crash on Route 14 near Intersection of Route 176

On Tuesday, April 30, 2013, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on RT 14 near the intersection of RT 176 at 12:50 PM.

Route 14 near Route 176

Upon arrival, crews determined three vehicles had been involved, and that three lanes of the four-lane highway were obstructed.

Fire Rescue evaluated all occupants of the vehicles and transported three subjects to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock with what were believed to be not life-threatening injuries.

Investigation into the crash revealed that a 2012 GMC Terrain, operated by Robert Clish (67) of Harvard, IL had exited a private drive east of the intersection, intending to travel east on RT 14.

Clish’s vehicle collided with an eastbound 2008 GMC Denali, operated by Chad Chavez (33) of Crystal Lake, and subsequently a westbound 2005 Ford Freestyle, operated by Christopher Otto (37) of Crystal Lake.

All three vehicles sustained extensive damage, rendering them inoperable and requiring they be towed from the scene.

Robert Clish was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/11-906 Failure to Yield from a Private Drive
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Chad Chavez was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) Expired Registration
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Christopher Otto was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Traffic in the area was redirected or restricted to single lanes for approximately 25 minutes as crews treated the injured, investigated the crash and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Four Car Crash Injures Two at Intersection of Route 176 and Route 31

On April 19th, 2013 at 2:55 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to the intersection of Illinois Rt. 31 and Illinois Rt. 176 for a report of a multi-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival crews determined four vehicles had been involved in a crash in the northbound lanes, on the north side of the intersection.

Paramedics transported two drivers to Centegra-Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, one believed to have non life-threatening injuries, while the other was in critical condition.

Initial investigation into the cause of the crash revealed all four vehicles had been northbound on Rt. 31, in the inner lane, when three came to a stop due to traffic congestion.

The fourth vehicle collided with one of the vehicles, careened off and impacted a second, forcing that vehicle into the final vehicle involved.

East Terra Cotta Road is closed for reconstruction of the intersection of Routes 31 and 176.

Traffic was diverted from the area for approximately one hour as crews tended to the injured, conducted the on-scene investigation, and cleared the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate this incident, including interviewing witnesses and all participants. No citations have been issued nor have any arrests occurred at this time.

The identity of the subjects involved is being withheld pending notification of family of those injured.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Subject charged with Multiple vehicle Burglaries

During the month of December, 2012 the Crystal Lake Police Department received several reports of vehicle burglaries occurring in the southwestern portion of the City.

Investigators began gathering information, and learned credit cards taken from vehicles had been used at several area retail establishments to make unauthorized purchases. Through images obtained from surveillance videos at the stores, and neighborhood canvasses, a suspect was developed.

Daniel White

On December 19th, 2012, Crystal Lake Police obtained an arrest warrant and executed a search warrant at the home of Daniel White of 1528 Candlewood Drive, Crystal Lake.

Mr. White was taken into custody and charged with

• two counts of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card, as well as
• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)

With multiple items seized as a result of the search warrant, the investigation continued.

Members of the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Investigations Division were able to link several of the seized items directly to the previously reported burglaries.

On January 23, 2013, the McHenry County State’s Attorney Office reviewed the new findings and authorized

• seventeen (17) additional counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle,
• three (3) counts of Possession of Another’s Credit Card,
• one (1) count of Forgery and
• one(1) count of Theft.

Daniel White, who was still in custody at the McHenry County Jail, was served with the additional criminal charges. Bond was set at $75,000.

As a result of this investigation; Twenty-two (22) Crystal Lake criminal cases were cleared by arrest and 12 more cases were cleared exceptionally (resolved but with no charges files).

Some of these burglaries dated back as far as April of 2012. Daniel White remains in the custody of the McHenry County Jail.

In addition, several cases of fraudulent credit card use were also cleared in the City of Elgin, Carpentersville and Algonquin.

With the Federal government ordering electric car manufacturers to make their cars noisier, don’t you think this sticker I found on a car in the man Algonquin Library parking lot is appropriate?

“Loud Pipes…Save Lives!!” says this sticker on a car window.

The approximate location of the accident.

press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – McHenry Ave at Barlina Road

On Monday, August 27, 2012 at approximately 4:36 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on McHenry Avenue between Monterey Drive and Dartmoor Drive involving a vehicle roll-over.

Upon arrival Officers determined the crash to involve a single vehicle, a 2003 Jeep Liberty, owned and operated by Heather Burris (22) of Algonquin, Illinois.

Paramedics evaluated Burris’ injuries, which were determined to not be life-threatening, but required immediate medical attention.

Fire Rescue Command determined the appropriate method of transport would be by air.

A REACT helicopter from Rockford was summoned, and transported Burris to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further evaluation and treatment.

Initial investigation revealed Burris had been southbound on McHenry Avenue, when her vehicle left the roadway on the west side parkway striking a mailbox and support post.

The vehicle then continued completely off of the roadway, and rolled on to its roof. Burris was able to exit the vehicle on her own.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to Burris, removed the vehicle and debris, and secured an appropriate landing zone.

Traffic was diverted from the area for over an hour.

This incident remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about cars being set on fire in the subdivision just north of Hannah Beardsley Middle School:

Fire Investigations: Primrose Lane and Talcott Drive

Primrose and Talcott are located north of Hannah Beardsley Middle School and the EV Free Church.

On Monday, August 6th, 2012 at approximately 5:00am Crystal Lake Police and Fire responded to a report of a car fire in the 0-100 block of Talcott Drive.

Upon arrival, officers observed a Chevrolet SUV, parked in the driveway immediately adjacent to the single-family home, fully engulfed in flames.

A boat parked next to the SUV also was on fire.

Officers immediately evacuated the residents.

Crystal Lake Fire personnel extinguished the fire.

The SUV and boat were destroyed by the fire.

The home and a Chevrolet truck parked nearby sustained some damage due to the heat of the fire.

While on the scene of the Talcott Drive fire, officers were alerted to another event in the nearby 600 block of Primrose Lane.

The Primrose Lane resident reported unknown offender(s) had entered his Jeep and attempted to set it on fire.

The fire did not spread and little damage was sustained.

Another vehicle, a Toyota, parked in the same driveway had been unlawfully entered.

During the initial police investigation, officers were approached by another resident of the 0-100 block of Talcott Drive.

The resident reported someone had set her vehicle, a Buick, on fire, which resulted in some moderate damage.

No injuries were sustained as a result of any of the fires.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815 356-3620 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 762-STOP (7867) for those who wish to remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does pay cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of any individual.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash – Rt. 14 @ Pingree Road

On Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at approximately 12:14 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on Rt. 14 near Pingree Road.

Upon arrival it was determined four vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction traffic crash, in one of two eastbound lanes.

Paramedics evaluated all parties involved, and transported a total of three passengers from two of the vehicles. Passenger injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but serious enough to require immediate medical attention.

Initial investigation has determined that Colleen Mantor (43) of McHenry, IL, while driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring, collided with the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Tribute, operated by Luen Toy (67) of Wonder Lake, IL, which had been stopped within the traffic lane.

This collision resulted in the Chevrolet striking the vehicle ahead of it, a 2006 Toyota, operated by Mary Dyra (47) of Prairie Grove, IL, which in turn struck a 2008 Honda, operated by Renee Shopp (59) of Island Lake, IL.

Manual traffic control was provided as emergency crews tended to the injured, and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

The traffic lights were set to four-way flashing red to aid in traffic control.

While Rt. 14 was not shut down completely, traffic was reduced to one lane in either direction for nearly one hour.

After the involved vehicles were removed, the traffic control lights failed to re-set, resulting in another hour of manual direction until a maintenance crew arrived and repairs were made.

Colleen Mantor was cited on-scene for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident (Illinois Compiled Statutes 625ILCS5/11-601(A)) and released, pending a court appearance.

The Fox River Grove Police has released videos of two car burglaries in the Hunters Farm and Foxmoor subdivisions.

Perhaps you can identify the guy.

As you watch this guy close the door, notice that he is not wearing gloves.

If you recognize this young man, call Fox River Grove Police.

Here is the press release:

Since April 26th, 2012, Fox River Grove Police Department has received twelve reported Burglary to Motor Vehicle incidents.

These incidents have been reported in the Hunters Farm and Foxmoor subdivisions. Items removed from the vehicles include electronics and credit cards and loose change.

Images below are of a suspect in one of the incidents in the Foxmoor subdivision.

Here’s another video:

These incidents appear to crimes of opportunity, as all the vehicle were left unlocked. Please make every effort to protect your belonging by bringing them into your home and locking your doors.

If you have any information to assist in solving these crimes or identifying the suspect, please contact Fox River Grove Police Department at 847-639-2411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-7867.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office didn’t send out anything to notify the public that one of its SWAT Team members, Greg Pyle, was being sought for arrest for 10 counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Abuse, but today I received the following from the office:

Area near Pistakee Bay where Fox Lake man robbed vehicles.

Fox Lake man arrested for string of Vehicle Burglaries in Unicorporated McHenry area

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today that Justin A. Dawson (M/W 22) of Fox Lake, Illinois was arrested for several counts of burglary to motor vehicle and theft.

On January 9, 2012 at 01:47 A.M. members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4900 block of Pistakee Drive in unincorporated McHenry for the report of a suspicious person going through several vehicles in the area.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators developed information which identified Justin A. Dawson as a suspect. Dawson was subsequently interviewed and subsequent proceeds from the vehicles burglaries were recovered.

As a result of the investigation, Dawson was charged with three counts of burglary to motor vehicle and three counts of theft. On January 17, 2012 Justin turned himself into the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility without incident.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds homeowners to properly secure their vehicles, use adequate lighting around their property, and consider using an alarm system to help deter criminal activity.

Don Manzullo

Peter Roskam

Randy Hultgren

The one who leases a vehicle at government expense is Congressman Don Manzullo.  His cost $619.99 a month.

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When this was first published, I used the figure from the House Clerk, $1,238.38, above.

Monday, Nov. 8th, the following correction am from Manzullo spokesman Rich Carter:

There was an error in the calculation of the vehicle cost listed in the St. Louis news report you shared on your blog.

The House finance office made a double payment in April.

The actual monthly cost for the vehicle lease is actually $619.99, and it is a vehicle the staff uses (Ford Escape Hybrid) to travel across the district in lieu of paying staff the mileage rate of 50 cents a mile. The payment for the vehicle comes out of the Congressman’s overall office account.

He has turned back more than $1.5 million to taxpayers during his tenure in Congress in money he was allocated to spend.

One of the reasons he is able to turn back money every year is because he doesn’t use the mass mail frank.

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Joe Walsh

The two that don’t have taxpayers coughing up money are freshmen Randy Hultgren and Joe Walsh.

The page containing Peter Roskam’s name was missing from what KSDK posted was Peter Roskam.

Roskam’s office said he did not have a government-leased vehicle.

Manzullo’s district is the largest geographically.

The television station’s story, which concentrates on its viewing area, is here.