Three homeless men have been charged with first-degree murder and robbery after a 51-year-old man who was found dead floating in the water at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake.
William P. Linke, 50, Michael M. Miller, 33, and Devin J. Peterson, 23, were all charged with first-degree murder, robbery, aggravated battery, concealment of a homicidal death and mob action.
The Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 2:59 p.m. Tuesday to the 6100 block of Northwest Highway after receiving an open line 911 call.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Derek Hyrkas said that officers located Linke, Miller and Peterson at the location, one of which was covered in what appeared to be blood.
Further investigation led the officers to a secluded wooded inlet on the west side of Three Oaks Recreation Area where they discovered a deceased 51-year-old man floating in the water, Hyrkas said.
The 51-year-old man was identified Wednesday morning as Robert L. Krikie Jr. According to Crystal Lake police, the three suspects and the victim are listed as transient.
“At this time, it appears the victim and subjects in custody were acquaintances. We believe this to be an isolated event with no existing danger to the public,” Hyrkas said.
Linke, Miller and Peterson remain in the McHenry County Jail. Peterson and Linke were ordered held on a $500,000 bond and Miller was ordered held on a $1 million bond.
All three men will appear in court again on Friday, court records show.
The Crystal Lake Police Department encourages anyone with information on the case to call 815-356-3620. Anonymous tips can be sent to the Crystal Lake Police Department by texting the word CLPDTIP along with the tip information to 847411.