The first call of the New Year for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was a report of shots fired in the area of 14600 West Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth. 911 callers indicated a man was shooting a handgun into the air, just after 12:00AM.

As sheriff’s deputies were responding, witnesses advised the offender entered a vehicle and left the scene. Sheriff’s deputies located the offender’s vehicle in the area of North Delany Road and West Wadsworth Road. After conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, they arrested Roberto Lara, 37, of the 2600 block of West Hendee Road, Waukegan. Lara admitted to shooting into the air to celebrate the New Year. Sheriff’s deputies seized several firearms from Lara.

Lara was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was subsequently charged with unlawful use of a weapon (class A misdemeanor). Lara was released from custody after posting bond. He is next due in court on January 17, 2017 at 9:00AM, in courtroom C-150.

Sheriff Curran reminds the public the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.