William P. Linke, 50, Michael M. Miller, 33, and Devin J. Peterson, 23 (left to right).

Three men have been charged after a 51-year-old man was found dead floating in a body of water after being beaten, choked and robbed at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, court documents say.

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 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.

A criminal complaint filed in court alleges that the victim was struck, kicked, choked and punched. The victim ultimately died from being struck in the head with a rock.

[Suggested Article]  Crystal Lake man found dead just weeks after being released from prison for woman's drug-induced homicide
Police investigate the death of a 51-year-old man at Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake Tuesday afternoon | Photo: Alex Vucha.

The 51-year-old victim, identified Wednesday as Robert L. Krikie Jr., also had his wallet stolen from him during the attack. The three suspects are accused of dumping the man’s body into the water following the attack.

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 April 8, 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.

[Suggested Article]  Beach Park boy arrested after dashcam video captures 100+ mph pursuit in Kenosha County