Crystal Lake Man Armed with Semi-Automatic Pistol Arrested after Standoff with Police

A Crystal Lake man armed with a semi-automatic pistol threatened violence while in a house on Kelly Lane, resulting in a standoff with police early Saturday evening.

Crystal Lake Police were called to the home in the 400 block of Kelly Lane shortly before 5 p.m., Dec. 29, in response to a domestic disturbance, according to a press release issued by Cmdr. Dan Dziewior. Kelly Lane is located on the northeast side of Crystal Lake near routes 31 and 176.

While officers were enroute, telecommunicators learned one of the occupants of the home - Michael J. Walls, 45 - was armed with a firearm, and had made threats of continued violence, Dziewior stated.

Four other people were inside the house at the time, and had barricaded themselves in a room for safety to await the responding police officers.

Upon arriving at the home, police began talking with Walls, who could be seen inside the locked house with a semi-automatic pistol in his hand, Dziewior stated in the release. 

"Unable to safely enter the residence, Crystal Lake Patrol officers quickly secured the scene, and contained Walls within the home while safeguarding the neighborhood," Dziewior said.

The Crystal Lake Police Department Emergency Services Team was activated and responded to the scene. EST negotiators communicated with Walls who eventually exited the home voluntarily, disarmed himself, and surrendered to arrest at approximately 6:40 p.m., Dziewor said.

None of the remaining occupants of the home were injured in the incident.

Walls was charged with domestic battery, unlawful restraint, three counts of felony aggravated assault to a peace officer, and misdemeanor aggravated assault, Dziewor said.

Walls was transported to the McHenry County Jail where his bond has been set at $50,000.