A homeless man was denied pre-trial release after he was accused of stabbing a man in the chest with a knife, leading to the victim being found in critical condition at a gas station in Woodstock.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 11:17 a.m. Monday to Shell gas station, 110 North Eastwood Drive in Woodstock.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said a 911 call was received reporting a man bleeding from unknown injuries.
Paramedics arrived and located an adult male outside the building.
He was suffering from a serious chest laceration that was reportedly caused by a knife, Vucha said.
Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said the victim had been stabbed. Officers first rendered aid before paramedics arrived.
Paramedics determined his condition to be critical and quickly requested a medical helicopter.
Vucha said the victim was transported by ambulance to the helipad at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital.
A Mercyhealth REACT helicopter landed at the helipad and flew the victim to Javon Bea Hospital — Riverside in Rockford for treatment.
Lieb said the victim told officers who stabbed him and officers observed the person of interest while on the scene.
They immediately detained the suspect, identified as Arthur E. Johnson, 69, of Woodstock.
The McHenry County Major Investigations Assistance Team (MIAT) was called to the scene due to the victim’s life-threatening injuries.
Woodstock investigators and MIAT investigators determined that the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit was needed due to the large outdoor crime scene, Lieb said.
Investigators were on the scene on Monday and Tuesday at the Shell gas station as well as a homeless encampment, which was surrounded with crime scene tape, behind the gas station.
“Due to the collaboration of the MIAT Investigators, the ISP CSI, and the WPD Investigations Division, this investigation was expedited,” Lieb said.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office on Tuesday afternoon approved charges against Johnson for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
Johnson was transported to the McHenry County Jail and appeared in court on Wednesday.
The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain Johnson pending trial.
McHenry County Judge Carl Metz granted the petition and remanded Johnson, who is homeless, to the jail.
Court records show Johnson spoke with his public defender and stipulated — or agreed — to prosecutors’ petition to detain him.
Johnson is scheduled to appear in court again on December 18 for a status of preliminary hearing.