Round Lake Park man charged with hate crime

A Round Lake Park man has been charged with a hate crime after police said he used racially charged statements during an assault against a juvenile in which he was also charged.

Samuel J. Kreger, 43 of the 300 block of East Washington Street, was charged with assault to a juvenile in connection with an assault that took place at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Round Lake Park officers responded to the area of Fairlawn Drive and Elder Drive for a reported disturbance.

A 911 caller reported a fight involving several juveniles and an adult. One juvenile was taken into custody and charged with battery.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Kreger had used several racially charged statements while assaulting the juvenile, police said.

On Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued for Kreger on the hate crime charge.

He surrendered himself to a authorities at the Round Lake Park Police station after he learned officers were trying to locate him.

Kreger was transported to the Lake County jail and is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Hate crime is a Class 4 Felony punishable up to a $25,000 fine and/or one to three years in prison.