Three Arrested in Home Invasion

charged three men March 30 with felony home invasion, mob action, criminal trespass and misdemeanor battery after responding to a call of a fight in progress in the 1100 block of Bennington Drive, Crystal Lake. 

Evan M. Ledford, 20, of 12213 Cooney Drive, Woodstock; Michael J. Pilat, 18, of 3309 Pleasure Ave., Wonder Lake; and Daniel H. Connelly, 19, of 144 Lawrence Ave., Woodstock were transported to McHenry County Sheriff’s Office after being unable to post $150,000 bond each. All have an April 27 court date at McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock. 

At approximately 3:13 a.m. officers had been dispatched to the area of the residence after a report of a fight in progress involving the use of baseball bats among several people, according to a report released by police March 31. The suspects were not immediately located.

According to police, an investigation provided the address of the home where the altercation occurred and led police to a nearby hospital where three individuals had gone for treatment for their injuries. 

Police allege the three men had entered a single family home without authority to intentionally cause injury to an occupant in retaliation for a fight in which one of the suspects had been reportedly battered by a guest at a party held at the home earlier. 

After interviews with witnesses, the matter was brought before the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office where warrants were issued. 

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit assisted Crystal Lake police taking the men into custody.