File Photo – Harvard Police Department | Photo: City of Harvard

Two officers were injured after a physical struggle to restrain a man who allegedly attacked a family member in Harvard and then tried reaching for a loaded gun when officers approached him.

The Harvard Police Department responded around 10:08 a.m. Saturday to the 1700 block of Wildflower Lane in Harvard for a report of a domestic disturbance.

Harvard Chief of Police Tyson A. Bauman said officers learned a 55-year-old woman was injured after she had been punched in the back by a family member.

It was discovered the male offender had fled the scene on foot.

Officers searched the area and located the suspect, identified as Juan J. Castro, 27, of Harvard.

Castro was confronted by officers as he was walking near the intersection of Forest Downs and Autumn Glen Drive.

A brief physical struggle ensued and officers backed off until additional officers arrived.

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Deputies from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Walworth County, Wisconsin Sherriff’s Office responded to assist.

The standoff continued until 11:10 a.m. when Castro attempted to reach inside a briefcase he had been holding.

Officers tackled him to the ground and he was eventually taken into custody following another physical fight.

Officers found a loaded ghost handgun inside the briefcase.

Two officers suffered minor injuries during the incident and were treated at local hospitals. They have since been released.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated resisting a peace officer, four counts of resisting a peace officer, domestic battery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, six counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a ghost gun.

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Castro also had an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant for a parole violation, a Boone County failure to appear warrant for a previous driving under the influence charge and two McHenry County failure to appear warrants for a previous contempt of court and crimes against persons charge.

Castro was medically evaluated and transported to the McHenry County Jail.

He remains held pending an initial bond hearing.