Police arrested a 52-year-old man and recovered multiple firearms after he allegedly brandished a loaded gun during a loose dog dispute and told his neighbor he would “put three in you.”
The Fox Lake Police Department responded on Thursday to a residence in the 6800 block of State Park Road in Fox Lake for a report of a disturbance involving neighbors.
Fox Lake Police Department Sgt. Rick Howell said officers arrived and made contact with Christopher Baugher, 52, of Fox Lake, and a 55-year-old neighbor.
A preliminary investigation determined that the disturbance began as a verbal argument between the two.
The argument began after Baugher’s dog was off-leash in a common community area, Howell said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said that Baugher told officers he had been walking the dog but it escaped.
Howell said the altercation escalated when Baugher returned to his residence and came back to continue the argument while carrying a concealed firearm.
Baugher brandished the firearm and threatened the neighbor during the encounter, Howell said.
Baugher told the victim, “I’ll put three in you,” as the victim was on the phone with 911, McConnell said. Dispatchers also heard the remark.
Baugher returned to his residence after the victim called 911.
Officers arrested Baugher without incident. He was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a concealed carry license and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Howell said officers obtained a firearms restraining order and a search warrant for Baugher’s residence after the incident.
The firearms restraining order prohibits Baugher from possessing or obtaining firearms or ammunition for the duration of the order.
Investigators conducted the search warrant around 2 p.m. Thursday and seized several guns and ammunition from Baugher’s residence. McConnell said the gun used in the incident was loaded.
Baugher was transported to the Lake County Jail and appeared in First Appearance Court on Friday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Baugher but Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim denied the request during a detention hearing on Friday afternoon.
The judge said he did not believe that prosecutors proved Baugher is a danger to the community for which no conditions of release could mitigate the threat.
He noted that Baugher cooperated with police and admitted to his actions.
Baugher was released with pre-trial conditions and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on February 18.