A Crystal Lake man was charged after he allegedly struck a Lake County sheriff canine and injured a deputy during a burglary near McHenry on Wednesday.
Robert B. Hunter, Jr., 33, of the 400 block of Buckingham Drive in Crystal Lake, was charged with assault with a weapon, aggravated resisting arrest, criminal trespass to residence, striking a police dog, and violating an order of protection.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 34700 block of North Iroquois Trail in unincorporated McHenry for a report of a burglary in progress.
While responding to the scene, sheriff’s deputies learned that Hunter was breaking into a relative’s home and was armed with a pipe, Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found Hunter inside the home. The deputies attempted to communicate with the man and told him to exit the home.
“Hunter was non-compliant, attempted to slam the front door on the deputies, and retreated into the home,” Covelli said.
The deputies, including Lake County Sheriff Canine Diesel, entered the home and Hunter threw a glass container at them. He then attempted to barricade himself inside a bathroom.
Sheriff’s deputies forced the bathroom door open and gave Hunter instructions to exit, warning him that Canine Diesel would be released if he refused to comply, Covelli said.
Hunter continued to refuse commands and Canine Diesel was released, biting the man’s arm. Hunter swung at the canine and struck him, causing Canine Diesel to bite Hunter a second time before deputies were able to arrest him, Covelli said.
Canine Diesel was uninjured but a sheriff’s deputy sustained a minor cut to the head during the incident.
Hunter was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry where he received treatment for the dog bite. He was later released back into police custody.
Hunter remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 16.