The man charged in the Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting that left dozens wounded and numerous killed reportedly prank-called a news reporter from the jail recently, a report said.
Robert E. Crimo III, 22, of Highwood, faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
Crimo has been held in the Lake County Jail without bond since July 6.
The New York Post reported Saturday that Crimo called one of their reporters from the jail at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Crimo reportedly asked “Is your refrigerator running?” while “squealing maniacally.”
He then said, “You better go catch it!” while “cackling in glee” and then hanging up, the Post reported.
The newspaper said one of their reporters had tried to schedule an interview with Crimo in December.
The interview was never scheduled but Crimo reportedly used that reporter’s number to call them when making the prank call.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office told Lake and McHenry County Scanner Saturday afternoon they had not been aware of the prank call prior to today.
The sheriff’s office said they are looking into the matter.
Prosecutors previously said Crimo admitted to “looking down his sights” of his Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle before opening fire on the crowd on July 4 near Second Street and Central Avenue in Highland Park.
Crimo said he fired two full 30-round magazines before loading a third 30-round magazine and firing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon, said.
Seven people were killed and dozens of others were shot. 83 spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.
The seven slain victims include Katherine Goldstein, 64, of Highland Park; Irina McCarthy, 35, of Highland Park; Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63, of Highland Park; Stephen Straus, 88, of Highland Park; and Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico; and Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan.
Crimo, who was dressed as a woman, exited the roof, dropped the rifle and escaped with the fleeing crowd, police said.
Crimo identified himself on surveillance video and the weapon used, Dillon said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has since filed seven counts of reckless conduct causing great bodily harm against Crimo’s father, Robert Crimo Jr.
Prosecutors and Highland Park police officers allege that Crimo Jr. was criminally reckless at the time that he helped his son obtain a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card.
Prosecutors said that helping his son obtain a FOID card was a contributing cause to the harm suffered by the murder victims in the July 4 mass shooting.
The man’s son, Crimo III, was under 21 when he sought to obtain the FOID card and required his father’s participation in the application process.