Police: Lake County man shot at dog walker with air rifle

A Lake County man faces several charges after shooting an air rifle at a dog walker near Spring Grove, authorities said.

A 22-year-old man was walking a dog on the 39200 block of North Jackson Drive in unincorporated Lake County about 5:15 p.m. Sunday when a person later identified as Stephen J. Clarke, 60, shouted, "This is private property!" and fired an air rifle projectile toward him, authorities said.

The dog walker left the area and dialed 911, authorities said. Lake County sheriff's deputies arrived at Clarke's house and were initially told by other occupants that Clarke was not home.

However, a deputy saw Clarke inside the house through a window. Deputies entered the house and, with the help of Fox Lake police officers, found Clarke in a back bedroom armed with a knife, authorities said.

Deputies used a Taser to subdue Clarke after he refused multiple orders to drop the knife, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Authorities later learned Clarke was wanted on two active Lake County arrest warrants on charges of violating an order of protection. The warrants came with a $120,000 bail amount.

Clarke was released from the hospital and taken to Lake County jail. He was charged with felony aggravated assault, and misdemeanor counts of aggravated assault, resisting a peace officer, unlawful use of a weapon, and disorderly conduct.

He remains in jail on $150,000 bail and is due back in court Thursday.