$175,000 bond set for man in Arlington Heights standoff

Had any of the 40 to 50 rounds police say Jason Jakob fired inside his Arlington Heights home last week during a seven-hour standoff landed outside, the 39-year-old might have faced more serious charges.

And a substantially higher bond.

As it was, Arlington Heights police charged Jakob with aggravated assault, reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated intimidation in the March 31 incident, which involved nearly 80 law enforcement officers, including 65 members of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System. Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta set Jakob's bond at $175,000 on Tuesday and ordered him to surrender within 24 hours all firearms in his possession and under his control, including firearms he may have stored elsewhere.

Police recovered 27 high-powered rifles and 19 handguns along with thousands of rounds of ammunition, all of which were registered, said McCarthy. At the time, Jakob, an unemployed mortgage broker, had a firearm owner's identification card. It has since been revoked.

In a written statement to police, Jakob admitted firing a Glock .40-caliber handgun and a 9 mm handgun inside his home. He also admitted drinking alcohol, reports said.

Arguing for substantial bond, McCarthy cited the threats police say Jakob made against them, saying that someone who threatens police officers poses an even greater threat to ordinary citizens.

"But for the NIPAS strategic decision to flush the defendant out with tear gas, this case could have had a far more tragic ending," she said.

Jakob "lawfully owned and maintained" his firearms, said defense attorney Lawrence Lykowski.

Lykowski said his client had been taking pain medication following recent shoulder surgery and was using alcohol to self-medicate. He denies threatening the police and has no prior criminal history, nor does he have a history of mental illness, Lykowski said. Jakob was discharged from the Elgin Mental Health Center - where he was admitted following his arrest last week - after psychiatrists found no sign of mental illness, Lykowski said.

If convicted, Jakob could receive probation for each of the charges. For aggravated intimidation, he could receive from three to 14 years in prison. Jakob was released after posting $17,500. He next appears in court on April 28.