NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A North Chicago man is accused of threatening to use explosives on Lake County Sheriff’s deputies who went to his apartment to carry out an eviction.
According to the Lake County sheriff’s office, the 58-year-old man’s eviction was an exception from the eviction moratorium due to the COVID-19 pandemic; but was notified in July that he had an eviction order for Aug. 9.
On Monday, three deputies knocked on his door and the man said he knew why they were there and wasn’t leaving. He then told deputies he had a device rigged to the door, and if they entered, they would “be sorry,” and told them they should evacuate people from the building.
The sheriff’s office said deputies heard what sounded like firearms being cocked, followed by a loud pop sound.
Believing the man might have an explosive, the sounds like he was preparing firearms, and the loud noise, the deputies began evacuating the apartment building, while one of the deputies continued to communicate with the man through the door.
Numerous other deputies, the Lake County Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team, and North Chicago Police Officers responded to the scene.
Lake County Sheriff’s Negotiators spent just over an hour communicating with the man. During the negotiations, the man indicated he did not have explosives, and he just made the comment about having a device to keep the deputies from entering his apartment. The negotiators continued their communication and the man voluntarily surrendered.
The Waukegan Fire Department Bomb Squad arrived on the scene and verified there were no explosives inside the apartment.
Further investigation revealed the man was attempting ‘suicide by cop.’ He said he planned on pointing a gun at deputies when they entered the home, in hopes the deputies would shoot him. The pop noise the deputies heard is believed to be a firework the man ignited.
The man was transported to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation and future charges are likely.
“This was incredibly concerning and downright scary to all of the occupants in the apartment building. I could not be prouder of all of our staff involved in this incident, for their quick actions of evacuating all of the building’s occupants to safety and also showing tremendous restraint in their interaction with this man. There is no doubt, this incident could have ended much differently if it were not for the professionalism, training, and experience of my staff," said Sheriff John D. Idleburg.
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