A McHenry man wanted on a warrant for committing two residential burglaries was identified by police as the catalyst behind an hours-long police standoff that ended peacefully in McHenry Thursday, authorities said.
Patrick J. Anderson, 44, of 3415 Venice Avenue in McHenry, was taken into custody at his residence following the standoff that drew dozens of SWAT officers and equipment to the small neighborhood near downtown McHenry, said McHenry Police Chief John Birk.
Birk said the McHenry Police Department said the incident began when police responded to a residence in the 1200 block of N. Green St., McHenry, on June 2 for a reported residential burglary.
Officers were called back to the same residence again Thursday morning for another reported residential burglary that had just occurred.
The investigations into these incidents developed Anderson as a suspect, Birk said, and soon after the second reported burglary, officers went to Anderson’s residence.
However, Birk said Anderson retreated into the house and would not respond to the officers’ commands, Birk said.
Birk said probable cause was developed to criminally charge Anderson with residential burglary. This resulted in police acquiring an arrest warrant for Anderson, and a search warrant was obtained for his residence.
McHenry Police Department officers made numerous attempts to contact Anderson and have him exit the residence, but Birk said he resisted.
Officers also developed additional information that Anderson, a convicted felon with a history of resisting police, may have had a firearm, Birk said.
Due to this, Birk said the McHenry Police Department requested the assistance of the Emergency Services Team of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (commonly referred to as NIPAS).
NIPAS, like SWAT, is a joint venture of suburban municipal police agencies to provide mutual aid, and the McHenry Police Department has been a long-time member of NIPAS, Birk said.
Police issued a warning to residents at about 11:49 a.m. to avoid Venice Avenue and Court Street due to police activity, adding that the situation taking place on Venice was an isolated incident that would be active for several hours, and the public was not in any danger.
Police officers from as far away as Niles, Forest Park, Western Springs and Berwyn descended on McHenry as part of the massive police presence in the area that lasted over four hours.
NIPAS teams completely surrounded the home, including stationing officers on a boat in the water on the Fox River while they tried to communicate with Anderson through a bullhorn.
Birk said the residence was entered by police personnel to take Anderson into custody, adding there were no reported injuries during this incident.
At just after 4 p.m., Anderson, wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and handcuffs, was escorted by police out of the house to a nearby armored vehicle.
Police issued an “all clear” to residents on Facebook at about 4:35 p.m.
Anderson has been formally charged by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office with two Class 1 felony counts of residential burglary, one Class 4 felony count of Obstructing Justice, and misdemeanor counts of Resisting a Peace Officer and Criminal Damage to Property, Birk said.
Anderson was transported to the McHenry County Jail pending court proceedings.
Birk said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Court records show Anderson also has a long list of previous charges that include a home invasion in 2010, resisting a peace officer in 2014, several battery cases from 2023 and 2024, and criminal damage to property over $500 in 2025.
Birk added that the McHenry Police Department wants to thank the community for their patience during this incident.
While the heavy police presence may be alarming to some, it is to ensure the safety of the arrestee, the responding officers, and the members of the community, Birk added.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at (815) 363-2599.