On January 27, 2019, at approximately 5:15PM, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call from someone who was just been assaulted with an air rifle in the 39200 block of North Jackson Drive, unincorporated Spring Grove.  

Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and determined the 22-year-old male victim was walking his dog in the area when a man, later identified as Stephen J. Clarke, 60, of the 39200 block of North Jackson Drive shouted, “this is private property,” and shot an air rifle projectile toward the victim.  

The victim left the area and dialed 911.  Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at Clarke’s residence and were initially told Clarke was not home by other occupants in the house.  An additional responding Sheriff’s Deputy observed Clarke inside the home through a window.  Sheriff’s Deputies learned Clarke was also wanted on two active Lake County arrest warrants for violating an order of protection (total bond for both warrants was $120,000.00).  Sheriff’s Deputies entered the home, with the assistance of Fox Lake Police Officers, and found Clarke in a back bedroom armed with a knife.  

Clarke refused multiple requests to drop the knife and was subsequently tased.  He was then taken into custody without further incident.  He was transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center (NIMC), McHenry, for evaluation and released back into the custody of Sheriff’s Deputies.

Clarke was transported to the Lake County Jail and subsequently charged with:

Two Counts of Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felonies)

Aggravated Assault (Class A Misdemeanor)

Resisting a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor)

Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class A Misdemeanor)

Disorderly Conduct (Class A Misdemeanor)

Clarke remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court appearance this morning.  

Sheriff Idleburg reminds the public all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.