A Lake County teen is in the custody of juvenile authorities after police said he ordered kits to convert firearms into automatic machine guns.
The 17-year-old, whose identity was not disclosed because he is being charged as a juvenile, was taken into custody on Wednesday after the firearm conversion kits were delivered to a neighboring home near the youth’s residence in the Winthrop Harbor area.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group said it learned that the youth had ordered the kits from outside the U.S. and was having them shipped to the neighbor, presumably to obscure the youth’s ties to the shipment.
After the teen retrieved the parts from the neighbor on Wednesday, police took the teen into custody. Police think he planned to sell the kits for a profit. He was charged with unlawful possession of machine gun parts.
There is no evidence the neighbor was involved, police said.
“It is troubling to see such a young person involved in the purchase and potential distribution of machine gun conversion devices,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “These devices endanger everyone and stopping their spread is a responsibility we take seriously. I am grateful for the collaboration we have with our local and federal law enforcement agencies and proud of the work of our SIG and SWAT teams.”
String of burglaries
Two men are facing charges after police say they committed a string of burglaries across the Lake County area.
Matthew Ristick, 18, of Chicago, and Kevin Miller, 26, of Arlington Heights, were charged with residential burglary after they were arrested earlier this month.
Police said they may be responsible for burglaries in Lake County, Lincolnshire, Gurnee and Highland Park.
The Lincolnshire Police Department, Highland Park Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force reviewed surveillance video and other evidence that indicated Ristick and Miller were responsible for the burglaries, the sheriff’s office said.
Jail passes inspection
The Lake County jail has passed its most recent inspection and audit conducted by the Illinois Department of Corrections, the sheriff’s office said this week.
The annual inspection took place in September and included a review of 330 categories.
Auditors documented several achievements and innovations at the jail, including security measures intended to stop contraband from entering the facility, along with vocational, educational and substance abuse programs aimed at helping inmates become more productive members of society.
The jail received more than 4,800 new inmates through the end of November, and has an average daily population of 597. Staff have transported inmates to 11,500 hearings and other court-ordered trips, while serving more than 450,000 meals to inmates.
“The result of our annual inspection highlights the hard work of our correctional officers and staff, as well as our continued investment in safety, security, and rehabilitation,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “From maintaining full compliance with security checks to expanding programming and implementing safeguards to prevent contraband, our team is focused on running a jail that serves both public safety and long-term community well-being.”
Holiday patrols
Just a reminder that many police agencies across Lake County will be adding extra patrols to coincide with the holiday period. So please take your time, drive safely and use your hands-free apps so you can continue to make the season bright. Happy holidays.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/19/law-and-order-column-7/
