Police: Antioch Township volunteer charged with battery

A 67-year-old Antioch Township emergency services volunteer has been arrested for inappropriately touching a female member of the Antioch Rescue Squad, authorities said Friday.

Robert Wonderling, of Lake Villa, was charged with a misdemeanor count of battery Thursday after his arrest at the First Fire Protection District of Antioch fire house in the 24000 block of Grass Lake Road, Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Sara Balmes said.

Wonderling was released after posting the required 10 percent of his $1,000 bail.

He was at the fire house serving in a volunteer emergency services role for Antioch Township, township trustee Peter Grant said.

Grant, who serves as the public safety liaison on the township board, said Wonderling was in charge of the public safety committee after his appointment to the position by township Supervisor Steve Smouse.

“I was assured the Lake County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation and (Wonderling) was relieved of any duty he has,” Grant said. “I know his keys to any buildings were taken away and he was told not to come back to the township buildings.”

Smouse, who previously served as Antioch Rescue Squad president, did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday. Calls to Wonderling also were not returned.

Balmes said officers were called to the fire station after the unidentified female member confided to another squad member about an incident involving Wonderling. That member reported the information to a higher ranking member of the squad, who told ARS Chief Brian DeKind, Balmes said.

DeKind ordered that the sheriff's office be contacted.

“Mr. Wonderling is not affiliated with the rescue squad,” DeKind said. “The building is owned by the first fire protection district and he was there in that capacity.”

Balmes said Wonderling is due back in court April 28 for arraignment.