A McHenry man who was armed with “numerous firearms” was taken into custody early Sunday morning following an hours long standoff with SWAT and police officers.
William B. Cheatham, 56, of the 1000 block of North Front Street in McHenry, was taken into custody at his residence following a domestic disturbance which turned into a four hour police standoff.
McHenry Police Department Chief John Birk said that officers were called to Cheatham’s residence after he threatened to harm someone with a gun. Police officers arrived and Cheatham retreated to his residence and refused to answer to police.
Authorities said that Cheatham is a convicted felon and they learned that he had numerous firearms in the home. A search warrant was obtained and a SWAT team entered the residence. Tear gas was deployed and Cheatham was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators recovered thirteen long guns, two handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition. Route 31 was closed for four hours and several residences and businesses were evacuated during the incident.
The incident was isolated to the residence and no one was injured, police added.
Cheatham was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, assault and disorderly conduct. He remains held in the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.