McHenry County Blog

Seeman Road runs north from Harmony-Huntley Road.

To All Concerned McHenry County Citizens,

Yesterday I received an email from Michael Musgrave, one of the members in our network.

Two teens tried to break into Michael’s house (after midnight) Saturday night (April 27th).

Fortunately, Michael was home in the yard at the time.

This attempted burglary happened on Seeman Road in Huntley. I left Michael’s letter to me attached below for you to read.

I am happy to report that because of Michael’s alarm system and surveillance cameras, the teens were not successful, and Michaels cameras picked up two photos of one of the teen boys.

If you know this teen, please contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s office as this attempted burglary occurred in the unincorporated area of Huntley.

Stay safe, stay vigilant,
Kristin Ottolino

Below is the letter from the resident of the home:

Kristin: last night we had some kids try to gain entry to the house a little after midnight.

We had friends over and were in the back yard around the bon fire, the kids snuck up from the road and we have them on camera looking in all the cars (presumably for anything sitting out they could grab and dash with).

At one point one of them brazenly walked up to the front door (picture attached).

First photo of teens caught on camera on Seeman Road in Marengo.

They did get into the garage because the side door was unlocked, and we think they got spooked and ran off when they tried to open the interior door and the alarm system chimed.

My partner saw them when they were running off, and was able to chase after them, but couldn’t catch up with them.

This afternoon two 15-ish year old boys were hanging around at the end of our driveway checking out our place and our neighbor across the road, they took off when they realized we saw them.

One was shaggy dirty blonde, the other was short red head.

A second picture of the same teen.

The deputy thinks it was the same kids from last night, and probably the same kids involved in other area thefts.

When we were out looking for them last night, we think they were in a car that turned unto Ridge Lane off of Church Road (just west of Seeman Rd).

The kids on bikes today also turned onto Ridge Ln. today (we followed them at a distance).

Michael Musgrave

And here they are:

The Cash Store robber, first photo.

The Cash Store robber, second photo.

The Cash Store robber’s van.

If you can identify the suspect in the photographs please contact Detective Majzner at 815/459-4481.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Alert: Robbery suspect sought – Crystal Lake “Cash Store” 1125 S. Rt 31.

Crystal Lake Police are seeking information regarding a robbery that occurred at “The Cash Store”, 1125 South Rt.31. At 12:23 PM…

Subject described as

• an African-American male
• 35 years of age
• 6′ 02″
• 230 lbs
• wearing a gray pull-over hooded sweatshirt
• black knit mask
• black gloves
• carpenter style denim jeans
• tan work boots

committed a robbery, taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

No weapon was observed, however employees were threatened.

Subject may be driving a dark colored Dodge mini-van.

Instructions:
Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to contact Crystal Lake Police at 815 356-3620 or their local law enforcement agency.

From Marengo resident Kristin Ottolino:

Please help our local business owner find this man who burglarized burglarized the Full Moon Saloon located at 22418 W. Grant Highway (Route 20) in Marengo. The burglary took place at 2:04 a.m. Tuesday, November 6th.

The Full Moon Saloon closed at 1:00 a.m. on the night of November 6th, 2012. At 2:04 a.m., the surveillance cameras detected this man breaking in through a window using a tire iron, and just a few minutes later, exiting the building.

In just a matter of minutes, he managed to find the 85 lb safe, get back to the window, pull out a barstool to set down the safe, climbed out the window, then reached back in to grab the safe before leaving.

The speed at which this burglary occurred seems to imply he had found what he was looking for with the greatest of ease. This information reveals that he knew exactly what to look for and how to find it.

The vehicle used in this burglary appeared to be a small truck.

Stolen from the lounge was approximately $6,000 in cash other valuables.

The owner of the Full Moon gave me full permission to write to our network with this information and is asking for your help.

This owner believes this burglary was not an inside job, but rather “someone close to those who know the bar.”
She provided the photographs above from her surveillance cameras, and I assured her that our network of over 200 citizens in the Marengo area would look closely to see if this “not so masked” man could be identified.

This thug is approximately 5′ 8″ tall.

He wasn’t smart enough to cover his face well with his mask, so he could easily be identified if you know him.

Please note the third photograph down, you can clearly see a crook in this man’s nose.

Keep in mind, infrared camera photographs have a tendency to appear brighter in color, less shadows appear on the face than normal. Further research shows that the infrared makes the face younger in appearance than it actually may be.

Also, according to the detective working this case, another bar in Hebron was burglarized this week on December 12th.

The burglar wore the same mask, same coat, tire iron and basically identical face. Please share this photo with as many people as possible and perhaps we can get this burglar identified and get him stopped.

If anyone has any information regarding this individual or about the incident, please call the McHenry County CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 800-762-7867, or the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at 815-338-2144, or email: tipline@co.mchenry.il.us. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. CrimeStoppers does not use caller ID.

Police Chief Ron Lukasik

An email from Fox River Grove Police Chief Ron Lukasik:

“In following up on the residential burglaries in the Foxmoor Subdivision, the police department took a proactive approach during the subsequent investigation.

The 600 block of Hunters Way in Fox River Grove. Click to enlarge.

“A canvass of the area homes revealed six additional attempts or residential burglaries that had occurred.

“The police department has recovered several items that have not been claimed or identified by these victims.

“At this time it is believed that more burglaries may have occurred in the subdivision that have not been reported.

Zachary White was arrested.

“We are asking residents to check their home for missing items such as jewelry, small tools and household items.

“If you have items missing and believe you may be a victim of one of these crimes, please contact Sgt. Domagala or Officer Eric Waitrovich at the police department 847-639-2411.

Based on entry points from the previously reported burglaries they will be able to verify whether entry was made to your residence.”

The original press release from the Fox River Grove Police can be found here.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

“On Thursday, August 2^nd, 2012 at approximately 4:14 p.m., Crystal Lake Police were dispatched to a report of an Armed Robbery which occurred at the Cody’s Farm Fresh Stand, located on the property of 140 South Virginia Street, Crystal Lake.

“Upon arrival Officers met with the victim, a 20 year old employee of Cody’s.

“The victim advised he was approached by an unknown female/white subject.

“The female displayed a knife and implied the imminent use of force.

“The victim then provided the suspect with an undisclosed amount of United States Currency.

“The suspect who was described as a white female, approximately 5’9”, 170-180 lbs., wearing an orange jersey fled the area on foot.

“A person of interest is being questioned, and criminal charges are expected to follow.

“Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate this matter and are confident no related public threat remains at this time.”.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police:

On Sunday, March 18, 2012 Police were dispatched to 205 Marian Parkway reference a Robbery.

Upon arrival Police met with Ariel C. Guerra who reported that while walking his dog near his home, he was approached by three men who were passengers in a white Dodge pick-up truck.

Guerra stated he recognized one of the men as Mario; someone he had sold automobile parts to over a year ago.

Guerra continued stating that Mario confronted him about the previous sale of car parts, which he claimed were defective.

At this time Mario demanded that his money be returned.

Guerra stated all three men then surrounded him and began threatening him with bodily harm.

Guerra explained that he only had $9.00 U.S.C on his person, which he surrendered to Mario.

Guerra stated that all three suspects returned back to the pick-up truck and left the area traveling westbound on Route 176.

A description of the vehicle and the suspects were released by Police Dispatch and the vehicle and suspects were located a short time later at a restaurant near Route 14 and McHenry Avenue.

The suspects were placed into custody and transported to the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Once at headquarters the suspects were identified as;

• Luis Mario Jasso (M/W, D.O.B. 11/11/85 of 806 Plum Street, McHenry)
• Roberto Jasso-Gonzalez (M/W, D.O.B. 11/25/82 of 806 Plum Street, McHenry)
• Anthony J. Herrera (M/W, D.O.B. 02/12/79 of 202 N.W. Hwy. unit #D, Fox River Grove).

A twenty-one year old male from McHenry was also identified as the driver of the pick-up truck but was not part of the confrontation with the victim and was not charged.

The subsequent investigation revealed that Luis Mario Jasso, Roberto Jasso-Gonzalez and Anthony J. Herrera were all responsible for taking the victim’s money by threat of force.

The case was reviewed with the McHenry County State’s Attorney Office, and charges were authorized against all three men who were each charged with

• 1 count of Robbery,
• Class 2 Felony and 1 count of Theft under $300.00,
• Class A Misdemeanor.

Behind the Crystal Lake Motel sign you can see the Virginia Street Tax Increment Financing Distict boundary marker, a stone pillar costing $16,000.

Next to The Freeze is the Crystal Lake Motel.  The Crystal Lake Police send this report about action taken there Monday right after midnight:

On [Monday] March 5^th, 2012 at 12:09 pm, Police were dispatched to the Crystal Lake Motel located at 110 Virginia Street, CL for a report of a robbery.

Upon arrival a witness stated they observed numerous subjects, described as being in their late teens or early twenties, exit motel room #201 along with a male, described as being in his fifties.

The older male subject was escorted out to the parking lot, where he was allowed to enter the driver’s door of a yellow taxi minivan.

While the other subjects walked around the vehicle to gain entry, the older male subject started the vehicle and fled the scene.

The witness also advised that as the taxi cab fled the area it appeared to strike one of the subjects who had attempted to gain entry, knocking her to the ground.

Further, that as the taxi cab fled the motel parking lot; it was pursued by the remaining individuals who had entered a small, white colored vehicle.

As Police responded to the scene they located the Yellow Metro Cab parked across the street a short distance from the motel along Virginia Street.

Police subsequently identified the taxi driver/owner as William Reynolds (M/W/52 years old) of Woodstock.

Upon questioning, Reynolds explained that earlier in the day he had been contacted by a female subject over the phone who offered to have sexual intercourse with Reynolds along with another female subject in exchange for money.

Reynolds stated that he drove to the motel, was invited in expecting to have a sexual encounter, and upon entering Room #201 he was attacked by numerous individuals who were hiding inside.

Reynolds stated that he was kicked and punched about the head and body by several male subjects who demanded money.

Those arrested in the cab driver robbery attempt are, from left to right on the top row, James Zavorski, Austin Busse, William Zavorski, and, on the bottom row, Brandon Stevens and Patricia Stoneburner.

He also stated that two of his assailants displayed knives demanding more money and threatened him with further bodily harm.

Reynolds offered them additional money but stated that he would need to take them to his bank.

At that time, he was escorted out of the motel and led to his vehicle, where his attackers allowed him to get into the vehicle.

At this time he started his taxi and immediately fled the scene.

Reynolds stated that the individuals pursued him westbound on Virginia Street in another vehicle, but stopped following and turned onto North Shore Drive at which time he called police.

Within minutes of the initial call, Officers located the suspects and a vehicle matching the description provided by the witnesses.

Seven of the alleged offenders were taken into custody and the subsequent investigation resulted in all seven being charged with the following offenses.

• James E. Zavorski (M/W D.O.B. 08-08-1993) of 325 Van Buren, Crystal Lake,
• William J. Zavorski (M/W D.O.B. 10-17-1990) of 110 N. Virginia Street, Crystal Lake and
• Brandon M. Stevens (M/W D.O.B. 11-08-1990) of 2204 Edgewood Drive, Woodstock

were charged with one count of Aggravated Battery, one count of Mob Action and one count of Robbery.
Patricia E. Stoneburner (F/W D.O.B. 10-25-1990) of 14411 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock was charged with one count of Conspiracy to commit Robbery and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Austin M. Busse (M/W D.O.B. 04-12-1983) of 110 N. Virginia Street, Crystal Lake was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

One seventeen year old female juvenile of Woodstock was charged as an adult for Robbery.

One seventeen year old male juvenile of Crystal Lake was charged as an adult for one count of Aggravated Battery, one count of Mob Action and one count of Robbery.

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney:

Daniel Charneski Sentenced to 14 Years for Armed Robbery

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that twenty-four year old Daniel Charneski, of Freeport, Illinois, was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the class X felony offense of armed robbery and 4 years in the Department of Corrections for the class 3 felony offense of aggravated battery. Those sentences will run concurrently.

A McHenry County jury previously found him guilty of those offenses on July 21, 2011.

The trial testimony revealed that in the early morning hours of January 9, 2007, two masked men entered a twenty-four hour convenient store located on Berkshire Drive in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

One of the men was armed with a metal pipe.

After taking money and cigarettes, the assailant armed with a metal pipe repeatedly hit the cashier over the head and then fled into the night.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where twenty-six medical staples were used to close three separate lacerations to her scalp.

On March 27, 2007, the defendant confessed to participating in the robbery and striking the victim.

The other participant in the armed robbery, Stephen Waters was previously sentenced to 20 years in the penitentiary.

This case was investigated by Detective Will of the Crystal Lake Police Department and Detective Sergeant Synek of the Cary Police Department. Assistant State’s Attorneys Ryan Blackney and Philip Hiscock prosecuted the case with the additional assistance of Investigator Michael McCleary.

A message from the Huntley Police Department:

Attempted Ruse Burglary 9/30/11 11600 block Mill St. Huntley.

3 male hispanics posing as Com Ed and Village employees

Mill Street in Huntley, IL.

3 male hispanics wearing sweatshirts with reflective markings gained entry to residence. Resident led to basement while 2 other subjects went through house and personal belongings.

Vehicle were described as a red pick up and light silver over dark silver station wagon.

Before allowing any worker into your home, you should verify their employment with the Village of Huntley or ask for identification.