Attempted murder and other felony charges have been filed against the Wisconsin woman who struck two pedestrians with her vehicle in Gurnee, and then brandished a knife at a third person a few minutes later, police said.
Gurnee police announced that the charges have been filed against Katelyn A. Harmon, 25, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, following the Feb. 2 rampage, which left a 79-year-old man in critical condition.
Police said Harmon struck the man and a woman in a parking lot in the 6100 block of Grand Avenue at around 10 a.m. that day. The woman, 60, suffered an ankle injury that was not life-threatening, according to reports.
As officers arrived and then fanned out to search for the vehicle responsible, a police officer saw a man and a woman fighting in the 6400 block of Grand.
When the officer ordered them to separate, the woman, later identified as Harmon, advanced on the officer, who tased her in taking her into custody.
Police said after fleeing the hit-and-run scene, Harmon brandished a knife at the man in the 6400 block. The man suffered several lacerations after he got out of his car to disarm Harmon, police said.
Online sting
A Glenview man was arrested after police say he travelled to engage in sexual activity with someone whom he believed to be a 13-year-old boy.
James W. Ropa, 65, was charged with grooming and indecent solicitation of a child after he was arrested by Lake County sheriff’s officers and officers from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, authorities said.
Police said Ropa engaged in an online conversation with someone he believed to be a boy, but was actually a detective posing as the child.
Ropa allegedly told the “boy” he wanted to meet that evening and engage in sexual activity. When Ropa later arrived at what he thought was the boy’s home, he was arrested by NCIS and local police.
“Protecting children requires constant vigilance and strong partnerships,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “This case again underscores how effective collaboration with our law enforcement partners can be in identifying offenders and stopping them before harm occurs.”
Lake County prosecutors have filed to detain Ropa, who remains in custody, until trial. That hearing is set for Feb. 18.
Crash victim identified
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed on Feb. 2 in a two-vehicle accident in Grayslake.
Jonathan Williams, 19, of Lake Villa, died from blunt force trauma, authorities said.
Williams was driving east on Washington Street at around 2:13 p.m. when his car collided with a Toyota SUV driven by an 86-year-old woman. The SUV was headed west and making a left turn in Williams’ path when the vehicles crashed, police said.
Home invasion victim charged
Charges have been filed against a Beach Park man who was a home invasion victim, but was later found to have illegal drugs at his residence, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Alan C. Solganick, 67, of the 38200 block of North Sheridan Road, has been charged with drugs and weapons felonies that stem from a break-in on Jan. 8.
In the January incident, a former neighbor reportedly invaded Solganick’s residence before beating Solganick and fleeing with money. Police later learned that during the struggle, Solganick shot the man in the stomach.
After learning Solganick may be involved in illegal narcotics, police searched his home after obtaining a warrant. They said they found almost two pounds of cocaine and about $500,000 in cash.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/law-order-column-10/
