McHenry man arrested after standoff with police

A McHenry man was arrested Saturday after a domestic dispute that spiraled into a armed confrontation with police, authorities said.

About 8:30 p.m. Saturday, police responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on the 1000 block of North Front Street in McHenry. When officers arrived, they learned William B. Cheatham, 56, who lives at the house, had threatened one of the victims with a gun, according to a news release.

Officials said Cheatham retreated into the house and refused to cooperate with authorities.

After learning Cheatham was a felon and had several guns in his possession, authorities said, they obtained a search warrant and asked for tactical assistance through the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System.

Officials said Route 31 near the house was closed to vehicle traffic for about four hours during the standoff and several homes and businesses were evacuated.

Police entered the house and arrested Cheatham without incident, authorities said. Investigators recovered 13 long guns and two handguns from the residence, according to the release.

Cheatham was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, along with one count of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. He is being held at the McHenry County jail and is next due in court on Thursday.