A Fox Lake man has been charged with possession of an explosive device after police found a quarter-stick of dynamite during a search of his home, authorities said.
Fox Lake Police Sgt. Rick Howell said police were called to the 28000 block of Golf View Drive at about 7:56 p.m. Thursday after neighbors complained of a person shooting guns in the area.
Police went to the home of Allan J. Orbeck, 46, and found a large hole in the ground that looked like a shotgun blast, Howell said.
Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Theis said in court Friday that police made contact with Orbeck, who admitted to firing a shotgun into the ground at his residence.
Orbeck also told police his FOID card had expired and had not been renewed, Theis said.
Theis said officers told Orbeck he could not have weapons without an active FOID card.
During a subsequent search of the home, police recovered a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle, and ammunition, Howell said.
During that search, officers also recovered an explosive firework similar to a quarter-stick of dynamite sitting in a shotgun case, Theis said.
Orbeck admitted to owning the dynamite, saying he received it from a friend a couple of years ago, Theis said.
Orbeck was officially charged with possession of an explosive device and possession of a firearm with an expired FOID card, court records show.
The possession of an explosive device charge is a Class 3 felony, while the possession of a firearm charge is a Class A misdemeanor, court records show.
Orbeck was not detained in Lake County Jail until trial because the charges were not detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act.
Lake County Associate Judge Stephen DeRue placed Orbeck on level three pretrial release, telling Orbeck not to possess any weapons, explosives, or illegal drugs.
Orbeck was also ordered not to consume any alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, while out of jail on pretrial release.
Orbeck is due back in court on June 13.