Police have arrested and charged a Woodstock man with attempted murder after he allegedly beat two women with a hammer during an attack on a Crystal Lake trail.
Angel Reinaldo-Cardoza, 48, of Woodstock, was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. Friday by the McHenry County Sheriff’s SWAT Team during a warrant execution at his residence.
Reinaldo-Cardoza is being charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of armed violence and four counts of aggravated battery. Additional charges are likely.
The McHenry County Conservation District Police Department and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue responded around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to the Ridgefield Trace walking and bike trail near Crystal Ridge Drive and Oak Street in Crystal Lake for a 911 call about a battery.
Police said that a man on a bike attacked a woman with a hammer and another woman, who tried to intervene, was also beaten by the man.
The two women were transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. They have since been released from the hospital.
“Due to the diligent work of Conservation District police officers, as well as assistance from other local law enforcement agencies, we were able to identify, locate, and apprehend the suspect,” McHenry County Conservation District Chief of Police Laura King said.
Ridgefield Trace is a 7 ½ mile trail that extends from Woodstock to Crystal Lake.
“This was an isolated incident and something like this has never occurred before on the Conservation District’s trail system or within its conservation areas,” the McHenry County Conservation District said Wednesday afternoon.
“The McHenry County Conservation District Police Department is appreciative of the mutual support and assistance in the investigation from the Crystal Lake Police Department, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, the Woodstock Police Department, the McHenry County College Police, and the State’s Attorney’s Office,” King said.
“This was an unnerving and unfortunate event to have had occurred in an otherwise serene and peaceful area. Our thoughts go out to the two women and their families,” King added.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.