Bail set for Elgin man involved in standoff
Bail was set this morning at $60,000 for an Elgin man accused of firing several shots into the ground, then engaging in a five-hour standoff with police on the city's near west side.
At the same time, new details emerged about the case involving Timothy P. Engel, 28, of the 0-99 block of Jackson Street.
Police were called to Engel's house at around 11 p.m. Sunday, responding to complaints that he had fired a Colt .22 revolver seven or eight times into the ground next to his driveway.
A five-hour standoff followed after Engel refused to leave his house and police finally forced their way into the home and arrested him at 4:15 a.m. Monday, authorities said.
Police later executed a search warrant, seizing 14 guns that included the Colt, a .38-caliber handgun and at least 10 old shotguns and rifles.
Officers also recovered numerous rounds of ammunition.
In a police statement, Engel said he never heard the commotion outside his house because he was passed out on the couch from drinking, Kane County Judge Bruce Lester said, reading from the documents.
"Witnesses had seen him drinking, but I don't know what kind of exchange happened between the officers and him," said Elgin Police spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.
Engel told the judge he doesn't have an alcohol addiction problem.
"I'd say no, but I do like to drink," Engel said.
Police said Engel had been arrested several times in Elgin since 2004, including for a DUI that year.
Most recently, Engel was charged in March 2009 with a probation violation and in September 2009 was found unfit to stand trial. At the time, his mental health evaluation report was impounded by the courts, records show.
On Monday, Engel was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, not having a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card for a gun or ammunition.
He is due in court Oct. 14 at the Kane County Judicial Center.
The most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, but probation also is an option.