A man who made threats to harm himself and others while armed with guns was safely taken into custody after a SWAT team responded near Cary Saturday morning, the sheriff’s office said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received information around 5:30 a.m. Saturday about a 30-year-old man who had sent an alarming video of himself.
The video showed him holding a firearm to his head and making suicidal statements, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli.
Additional information indicated the man had also threatened to shoot law enforcement officers and others.
Deputies responded to the man’s residence in the area of Hickory Nut Grove Road in unincorporated Cary and established contact with him.
Covelli said the man’s behavior became increasingly agitated and confrontational during the encounter.
Deputies determined two other adults who normally reside at the home were staying elsewhere for the night and were not in danger.
“Given that no other individuals were inside the residence and to avoid unnecessarily escalating the situation, deputies disengaged from the immediate scene while continuing investigative efforts and monitoring the circumstances,” Covelli said.
Lake County sheriff’s detectives later obtained a Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) and a search warrant for the residence.
The court orders were sought to safely secure firearms from the home and allow family members to safely return to the residence.
Covelli said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was used to carry out the court-authorized search warrant due to the nature of the threats that had been made and the presence of firearms.
SWAT team members entered the residence and determined the man was no longer inside.
Detectives learned the man had left the residence in a vehicle but remained in the area, Covelli said.
Lake County sheriff’s detectives, working in coordination with the Cary Police Department, located the vehicle in a parking lot near Three Oaks Road and Route 14 in Cary.
Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and safely took the man into custody without the use of force, Covelli said.
The man was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and to receive appropriate care and services.
Detectives recovered multiple firearms from the residence during the search warrant.
“This incident is a great example of law enforcement agencies working together to achieve the best possible outcome. Our deputies, detectives, SWAT team members, and partner agencies exercised patience, restraint, and professionalism throughout this incident,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“By taking a measured approach and slowing the situation down, we were able to safely take this individual into custody without the use of force and connect him with the help he needs. I’m proud of the collaborative effort that prioritized the safety of everyone involved,” Idleburg said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they thank the Cary Police Department for their assistance in helping to safely take the man into protective custody.
The sheriff’s office also thanked the Algonquin Police Department, Oakwood Hills Police Department, Fox River Grove Police Department and Island Lake Police Department for assisting with traffic control and roadway closures during the search warrant.