Antioch police arrested three people who they said were armed with knives and were menacing people at a park.
More Top Picks Uncategorized
The incident took place on July 11 at Sequoit Park.
An Antioch police officer was monitoring security cameras when the officer saw several people who appeared to be carrying fixed-blade knives as they exited a car at the park.
They appeared to be chasing another person through the facility.
One victim was chased through the park before being caught and beaten, and additional witnesses and victims were threatened, police said. One offender held a knife to a victim’s throat and threatened them with death, authorities said.
Police were able to respond quickly and take three people into custody. Police identified them as Nicholas Pluta, 21, of Trevor, Wisconsin, Mitchell Alcock, 20, of Volo, and Brian Marciniak, 21, of North Chicago.
They have been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
“This kind of violence is inconsistent with our community’s values, and it is not something the Antioch Police Department, the village, or our residents will tolerate. This was a targeted incident involving known individuals, not a random attack on park patrons,” Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said.
Police credited a security officer from the Per Mar company, who was recently employed by the Antioch Police Department, to enhance public safety. A Per Mar officer intervened to protect park patrons and was allegedly threatened by one of the offenders, police said.
“The security officers on scene, the officer monitoring the village’s camera system, and the responding Antioch police officers all acted immediately, and their collaborative response helped prevent a tragic outcome. Their vigilance, professionalism, and quick action were critical in bringing this dangerous situation under control,” Guttschow said.
Judge finalists
The field for an open judgeship in Lake County has been narrowed to two candidates, the 19th Judicial Circuit announced.
The two candidates are L. Kat Allen and Sari W. Montgomery.
Both attorneys have been rated as “highly qualified” by the Lake County Bar Association.
Allen is a 2007 graduate of Bucknell University and the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is a private practice attorney who specializes in family law and is the current president of the Association of Women Lawyers in Lake County.
Montgomery is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the Loyola University School of Law. She is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School and is a partner at her firm.
The Circuit Court judges of Lake County will cast secret ballots to select the candidate who will become an associate judge.
“The judiciary depends on the public’s confidence that judges are selected through a process that values excellence, integrity, and independence,” Chief Judge Daniel Shanes said. “We are fortunate to have an exceptionally strong field of applicants.”
Team effort
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg is crediting the department’s officers and telecommunicators for their quick actions in locating someone who was in danger of self-harm.
The 911 center took a call Wednesday night from a parent concerned that their adult child may be in danger. The parent had received a worrying text photo of the individual in a wooded area.
The telecommunicators immediately contacted the person’s cell service provider to get a general location, and officers deployed a drone, thermal imaging and K9 teams to track the person to a heavily wooded forest preserve.
The person was located and taken for care.
More Top Picks Pureguardian H1250
“Every minute mattered, and our personnel worked together seamlessly to locate this individual and get them the help they needed,” Idleburg said. “This is an example of the dedication and professionalism our team brings to our community every day. We are grateful this story ended with hope.”