McHenry Police Department arrests one suspect in connection with the discharge of a firearm incident

MCHENRY—On Sept. 16, at approximately 12:45 a.m., the McHenry Police Department was dispatched to the 1200 block of N. Green Street for a report of someone having fired a handgun.

According to McHenry Police Department Chief John Birk, once officers arrived on the scene, they learned about a disturbance that had occurred between two subjects in a public parking area.

The preliminary investigation determined that one of the subjects involved in the disturbance had entered a vehicle and left the area. As that vehicle proceeded to leave the scene, a passenger fired several rounds from a handgun into the air.

Authorities stated that there were no reported injuries as a result of the gunfire and there is no current threat to the public.

Following that incident, Birk announced that 23-year-old Joel Ponce from 818 Corona Court in Round Lake Beach, was taken into custody on Sept. 19 in connection with the gunfire incident.

After his arrest, Ponce was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony; one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony; and one count of reckless conduct, a Class A misdemeanor.

No further information is expected to be released at this time due to the case remaining active.

The McHenry Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 815-363-2599. Those wishing to pass along anonymous information are encouraged to call the McHenry Police tip line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous as Caller ID is not used.