A judge ordered a Lake Villa man held on a $1 million bond after he was charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at responding police cars and a house in McHenry before trying to break into homes.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 12:50 a.m. Friday to the 3000 block of Charlotte Avenue in McHenry for a report of a domestic disturbance and gunshots fired.
Officers spotted the suspect, Nicholas C. Lopardo, 25, of Lake Villa, near John Street and Green Street.
Lopardo was driving a black Jaguar at a high rate of speed.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lopardo but he failed to stop, police said. A pursuit was not initiated.
Dispatchers then received calls for shots being fired near the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Barreville Road in McHenry.
A McHenry police squad and a McHenry County sheriff’s squad were both struck by gunfire while responding.
A third vehicle, belonging to a civilian, was also struck by gunfire.
All three vehicles were occupied at the time of the shootings, police said. No injuries were reported.
Lopardo was reported to have fled into the nearby Oaks of Irish Prairie neighborhood to the southwest of the intersection.
Lopardo broke windows to homes in the neighborhood and possibly attempted to enter the residences, police said.
Police issued a shelter-in-place alert to residents in the neighborhood as a heavy police response, involving the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, was dispatched to the area to conduct a search.
Officers arrested Lopardo near Murphy Drive and Cashel Road around 4:55 a.m. He was taken into custody without further incident and the shelter-in-place was lifted.
Police said further information is not available for release yet due to the expansive crime scene and multiple agencies working in the investigation.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of three counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Lopardo fired shots at a residence in the 1600 block of Conway Circle, in addition to the shots that were fired at police.
The complaint said Lopardo was in possession of a stolen 2006 Chevrolet Suburban and also a stolen .357 magnum revolver.
Court records show Lopardo is a convicted felon.
McHenry County Judge Kevin Costello ordered Lopardo held on a $1 million bond during an initial court hearing Saturday morning.
Lopardo remains held in the McHenry County Jail and would need to post $100,000 cash.
A status of preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Members of the community who have information regarding the case are encouraged to contact the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2200.
Residents who need to report damage not yet reported or those who find any evidence relating to the incidents should also contact the police.