Authorities say a Wauconda man armed himself with a loaded gun and threatened a pedestrian during a confrontation in the parking lot of a strip mall in Vernon Hills.
Zlatko Hromic, 58, of Wauconda, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct.
The Vernon Hills Police Department was called around 4 p.m. June 20 to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 375 North Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Manuel Mandujano said a person was walking through the parking lot.
Hromic got into his pickup truck and began reversing when the victim yelled at Hromic.
Mandujano said Hromic got out of his vehicle and made threats to the victim.
Hromic went to the back of his truck and allegedly pulled out a handgun before placing it in his waistband.
Hromic confronted the victim and manipulated him to the edge of the parking lot while berating him and telling him to “sit down,” Mandujano said.
Mandujano said Hromic told the victim he wanted to “teach him a lesson” about being polite.
The victim feared for his life and Hromic fled the scene.
Officers identified the vehicle through license plate reader cameras and officers in Wauconda located the vehicle.
A traffic stop was conducted and officers arrested Hromic.
A semi-automatic 9mm handgun, which had a loaded magazine inserted, was recovered, Mandujano said.
Hromic has a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry license.
The victim positively identified Hromic as the suspect, Mandujano said.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Hromic held on a $100,000 bond.
Hromic was released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10% of the bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 26 for a preliminary hearing.