McHenry County Blog

Route 31 and Brighton Lane in Crystal Lake.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Vehicle Crash Route 31 & Brighton Lane

On Thursday, May 16th, 2013 at 4:27 p.m., Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash at Route 31 and Brighton Lane.

Upon arrival emergency crews found that a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix had left the roadway and crashed into a NICOR Gas utility box located at the intersection of Rt. 31 and Brighton Lane.

Fire Rescue personnel transported the driver; sole occupant of the vehicle; Evan T. Hoeltje (21) of McHenry City to Northern Illinois Medical Center for evaluation and treatment for some minor injuries.

Because the vehicle had come to rest on top of a NICOR utility gas vault and because there was an odor of natural gas present, precautionary measures were taken and Route 31 was closed down for approximately 47 minutes.

NICOR and Com Ed were called to the scene and after conducting an inspection of their utilities, it was deemed safe and the vehicle was removed.

The driver reported as he was traveling north bound on Route 31, he experienced a failure with his vehicles braking system.

At that time the driver reported that he jumped from his moving vehicle, which veered off the road colliding into the NICOR utilities. Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate the cause.

At this time, no citations have been issued.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:
The Crystal Lake Police Department Completes the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “Cinco de Mayo – Drive to Survive” Traffic Safety Campaign to Save Lives

The Crystal Lake Police Department recently has completed its participation in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program conducted for the Cinco de Mayo holiday called “Drive to Survive”.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois participated in this statewide effort from May 1st through May 5th to save lives by encouraging motorists to refrain from drinking and driving and to buckle up during late-night hours.

Seat belts were checked at The Breakers.

During this period, the Crystal Lake Police Department participated in three separate enforcement campaigns to increase safety on our community’s roadways.

During the mobilization, the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Stopped 58 motorists for traffic violations

Issued a total of 73 traffic citations, which included:

• 22 safety belt citations
• 16 citations for speeding
• 8 citations for operation uninsured motor vehicle
• 10 citations for other moving violations
• 9 citations for unlawful use of an electronic communications device
• 5 disregarding a stop sign citations
• 3 citations for equipment violations

In addition, 3 persons were arrested for the following offenses:

• 1 adult male for DUI alcohol and BAC over .08
• 1 adult male for DUI alcohol and no valid driver’s license
• 1 juvenile for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis

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:

Crystal Lake – Alcohol Compliance Enforcement Conducted

On Thursday April 25, 2013 Crystal Lake Police and Illinois State Police conducted an Alcohol Compliance Enforcement (ACE) checks on establishments that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within the City limits.

During this A.C.E. detail, eight undercover officers and four underage minors visited twenty-four various liquor establishments, packaged sale stores and restaurant / bars, with a goal of finding them all to be in compliance.

Four of the selected businesses conducted unlawful sales of alcoholic beverages to the minors during the operation. The businesses found in violation were;

• Teddy’s Liquors 11 E. Northwest Hwy.
• Fresh Market 6000 Northwest Hwy.
• Dominick’s Finer Foods 5340 Northwest Hwy.
• 7- Eleven 19 Berkshire Drive.

The remaining twenty businesses found to be in compliance were:

• 

  The CVS Pharmacy on Randall Road passed the Crystal Lake Police Department’s test.

  Aldi’s 320 S. Virginia

• Cardinal Liquor 305 Virginia Street
• Convenient Food Mart 201 E. Virginia
• Walgreen’s Pharmacy 151 W. Northwest Hwy.
• K-Mart 6000 Northwest Hwy.
• Walgreen’s Pharmacy 315 N. Route 31
• CL Food & Liquors 540 E. Terra Cotta Ave.
• 7-Eleven 60 W. Terra Cotta Ave.
• Oak Street Food & Liquor 256 N. Oak Street
• Citgo 7615 S. Route 176,
• Cost Plus 6000 Northwest Hwy.
• Jewel/Osco 6140 Northwest Hwy.
• Shell (Open-Pantry) 4811 Northwest Hwy.
• Gas Depot/Marathon 4410 Northwest Hwy.
• CVS Pharmacy 1305 Randall Road
• General Store 1309 North Ave.
• Wal-mart 1205 S. Route 31
• LaRosita 131 N. Main Street
• London Pub & Grill 394 W. Virginia St.
• the Williams Street Public House 83 Williams Street

With accidents as the leading cause of death among adolescent Americans, coupled with alcohol as the leading causative factor, the Crystal Lake Police Department strives to develop a partnership with local merchants to help them achieve the goal of zero sales to minors.

These Alcohol Compliance Enforcement checks are done randomly several times throughout the year with the assistance of the Illinois State Police.

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:

Death Investigation at the Scene of a Fire Within a Residence

On April 14, 2013 at 7:33 AM, Crystal Lake Police were dispatched to a residence in the 1700 block of Moorland Lane in Crystal Lake where a Deputy of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department had discovered suspicious circumstances.

Moorland Lane is near Glacier Ridge Elementary School in Crystal Lake.

Upon arrival officers outside the home observed a subject lying on the floor of a room inside, and smoke inside the house. Crystal Lake Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene.

Officers made entry to the home with attempts to extract the subject, however heat and dense smoke prevented the officers from reaching the area the subject had been observed.

As Fire Rescue arrived, firefighters entered and removed the subject, the sole occupant of the home, and attempted to revive him.

A fire found in the basement of the home was quickly extinguished by the entering firefighters.

The subject was transported to Centegra Hospital in Woodstock, where he was pronounced deceased.

No other persons suffered injuries as a result of this incident.

This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators of the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Office and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.

Identity of the deceased is known, but is being withheld pending proper notification of family.

No further information will be released this date, as the investigation continues.

Tanglewood Drive in Crystal Lake.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Vehicle Crashes into Garage of Residence in Crystal Lake

On Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 9:25 AM, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash in the 1400 block of Tanglewood Drive.

Upon arrival emergency crews found that a 2001 Mercedes-Benz minivan had crashed into a garage of a residence, and partially out the back wall of the garage.

Fire Rescue personnel transported the driver; sole occupant of the vehicle; Lori Ruzbasan (49) of Crystal Lake to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The resident of the house struck was inside the home when the crash occurred, but was not injured.

The residence was inspected by the Crystal Lake Building Department, and representatives from public utilities, and was deemed safe to occupy.

Alcohol and/or otherwise impaired driving is not suspected in this traffic crash, however; Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate the cause.

It is believed the driver may have experienced a medical condition, which either caused or contributed to this crash.

At this time, no citations have been issued.

A press rele4ase from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Pin-Hole Camera Located within Central High School – Crystal Lake

The Crystal Lake Police Department announces that an arrest has been made in the matter involving a pin-hole camera found in a boy’s locker room at Crystal Lake Central High School.

Crystal Lake Community High School

Luke Patrick Gildea (17) of Crystal Lake, a student at the school, has been charged with two (2) counts of Unauthorized Video Recording;

• count 1 – 720 ILCS 5/26-4(a) a class 4 felony
• count 2 – 720 ILCS 5/26-4 (d) a class 3 Felony (victim under 18 years of age).

Mr. Gildea will be transferred to the McHenry County Jail, where bond will be set by a Judge at 8:00 a.m.

The Department continues to work closely with School District 155 investigating this incident. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

While Mr. Gildea has been charged with these offenses, he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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The email to CLCHS parents is here.

The first press release from the CL Police Department is here.

The second email from District 155 is here.

Here’s the latest news from Crystal Lake Community High School about the camera found in the boys’ locker room:

Crystal Lake Community High School

Dear Parents,

We are contacting you with an update on the situation at Crystal Lake Central.

Due to the quick investigative work by our school resource officer, other members of the Crystal Lake Police, and our deans, the police now have a student in custody who they believe acted alone.

Still, we have searched all locker rooms and washrooms at each District 155 school, and have not found any additional recording devices.

Please understand that because there is an ongoing investigation, we cannot provide more details at this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Johnnie Thomas
Superintendent

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Here’s the original email to parents.

Here’s the press release from the CL Police Department.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Pin-Hole Camera Located within Central High School – Crystal Lake

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, the Crystal Lake Police Department was contacted by District 155 officials after a student found a pin-hole camera secreted within the boy’s athletic locker room at Central High School.

Upon further inspection, the camera is a stand-alone device, which does not possess the capability of main streaming video to a wireless system.

Crystal Lake Community High School

This device was turned over to the Crystal Lake Police Department.

This matter is currently under investigation.

We will be using a forensic examiner to review any digital images.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815 356-3620.

Information can also be left anonymously via cellular phone by texting CLPDTIP along with the information to 847411 (tip411), through the web at http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/group.html?id=4930, or by calling Crime Stoppers at (800)762-7867.

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Here is the email sent parents.