The mayor said the community has been “shaken” by two separate “heinous” acts on the same day in Woodstock involving an arson fire at the Walmart and a man who tried to murder a gas station clerk.
Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner said in a statement Saturday that the community was “shaken by two heinous criminal acts” this week.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim, as well as with the employees and customers of Walmart who were affected by these incidents,” Turner said.
“While these events were deeply disturbing, I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional work of the men and women of the Woodstock Police Department. I want to extend my sincere thanks to WPD for their swift, professional, and effective response,” Turner said.
The mayor said the police department’s rapid identification of the suspect and prompt apprehension of the suspects “reflect the high level of skill, coordination, and dedication within the department.”
“I am extremely proud of our outstanding police team and their unwavering commitment to keeping Woodstock safe. I am also grateful for the strong partnership we have with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, led by Randi Freese,” he said.
Turner said the fact that both suspects were ordered held in the McHenry County Jail following their arrests is an “important reassurance to our community.”
“While the circumstances surrounding these events were troubling, they underscore the professionalism and vigilance of the Woodstock Police Department. WPD works tirelessly every day to protect our residents,” the mayor said.
Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said the first incident occurred around 10:13 a.m. Wednesday at the Shell gas station, 110 North Eastwood Drive, where it was reported that the on-duty clerk was struck multiple times by an unknown suspect while inside the retail store.
The woman had suffered significant injuries after being attacked, Lieb said. Prosecutors said she suffered severe injuries to her face, ribs and arms.
Lieb said a physical description was obtained and an investigation was conducted, leading officers to identify the suspect as Austin Silverman, 29, of Woodstock.
Officers located Silverman and took him into custody without incident. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery in a public place and criminal damage to property.
Prosecutors say Silverman walked into the gas station and approached the clerk working behind the counter.
He inquired with the clerk for a job application but his request was denied and he became enraged and crossed the threshold behind the counter, prosecutors said.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Silverman “maliciously attacked” the clerk by punching her multiple times in the head and face.
He also kicked and stomped the victim numerous times during the attack and threw her into a wall, the complaint said.
The complaint said Silverman bashed the victim’s head into the wall numerous times and used a wooden club to beat her.
Silverman then pressed the wooden club against her neck and continued to strike the victim in the head with more punches, the complaint said.
Prosecutors said Silverman stopped the brutal attack and left the store. The clerk managed to get to her feet and lock the door.
Silverman then attempted to unsuccessfully blow up the gas station by extinguishing a cigarette into a gas pump, prosecutors said.
He returned to the store moments later and tried to come back inside. The complaint said that Silverman stated that he intended to kill the victim.
The second incident occurred later in the day around 7:20 p.m. when the fire department was called to the Walmart, 1275 Lake Avenue, for a report of a structure fire.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived to find the store being evacuated.
Employees advised fire crews that there had been an active fire inside the building.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that Adilyn R. Monette, 21, of Woodstock, drove to Walmart, entered the store and intentionally covered numerous baby cribs in camping fuel.
Monette then lit them on fire with matches, the complaint said. Managers estimated the damage caused by the fire was in excess of $5 million, the complaint said.
Prosecutors said she was seen on surveillance video removing a can of camping fuel from the camping equipment aisle, placing it in a cart and making her way to the baby and infant section of the store.
Monette returned to the camping aisle, grabbed a second can of camping fuel and returned to where she had left the cart, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Monette was seen on video pouring the fuel on multiple cribs, setting them on fire and then leaving the store.
Firefighters entered the store to investigate and located the fire near the rear of the store.
The fire had already been extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system, Vucha said.
Monette was charged with one count of aggravated arson knowing people are present, a Class X felony.
Walmart is closed due to fire damage, as well as smoke damage throughout the store. No injuries were reported.
While the two incidents occurred on the same day, Turner said that violent crimes remain rare in Woodstock and the city works hard to ensure community safety.
“I think we are a great community for families. And I can say that we work hard to be a safe community, to have zero tolerance for criminal activity, and to do all we can to be a great place to live, work, and visit,” the mayor said.