A judge released a man from jail after he was arrested for threatening to shoot multiple children who were riding bikes at the Crystal Lake South High School on Thursday.
Aaron E. Pittner, 29, of Crystal Lake, was charged with transmitting a threat to a school building or persons, a Class 4 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Pittner made a threat around 6:35 p.m. Thursday.
The complaint said Pittner transmitted threats to approximately six juveniles by stating he was going to shoot them while they were on school grounds at Crystal Lake South High School, 1200 South McHenry Avenue.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Gregorowicz said Pittner made the threats to 12-year-old children who were riding their bicycles on school grounds, the Northwest Herald reported.
Pittner indicated he was armed with a gun, Gregorowicz said.
Pittner was listed as homeless and his last known residence was a house approximately a half-mile east of the school, court records show.
Officers arrested Pittner and transported him to the McHenry County Jail Thursday evening.
Shannon Podzimek, the Director of Communications and Community Relations for Community High School District 155, said the school district was notified by the Crystal Lake Police Department of the incident Thursday evening.
Podzimek said there is no threat to the community. “We continue to work closely with the Crystal Lake Police Department to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community.”
In June 2022, Pittner was sentenced to four years in prison for attacking and injuring another man in McHenry.
Court records show the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Pittner pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Carl Metz denied the petition and released Pittner following a detention hearing on Friday.
The judge ordered Pittner to not leave the state, not possess any dangerous weapons, have no contact with the Crystal Lake South High School and have no contact with any minor.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on September 19 for a status of preliminary hearing.