Man charged after reports of gun at Elgin wastewater plant
The lead operator of a wastewater treatment plant in Elgin was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct after police responded Wednesday to a call about a gunman and possible hostage situation, authorities said.
A warrant for the arrest of Craig W. Spohr, 44, of the 200 block of Elm Street in Waterman, was issued Thursday, Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault said. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Spohr is receiving medical care at an area hospital, police said.
Police were called to the wastewater treatment plant on Dana Road in Elgin, part of the Fox River Water Reclamation District, just before noon.
Robert Trueblood, the district's executive director, said Spohr had worked there for 25 years.
Police later found out Spohr had a starter pistol. He was with at least one family member when police arrived, but the situation did not warrant kidnapping charges, Theriault said.
Employees had called Spohr's relatives, including his mother, to come get him from work because he was having "a bad day," although he was not being threatening or abusive, Trueblood said.
Employees called 911 after someone saw Spohr handle the gun in the locker room, he said.
Spohr was taken into custody before 1 p.m. after police shot him with something similar to a rubber bullet. His hospital stay is unrelated to that, Theriault said.