Anonymous Tip Leads Police To Stolen Firearms In Lake In The Hills Case

MCHENRY COUNTY,IL — A Richmond man is facing multiple felony charges after police say a traffic stop tied to an anonymous tip about weapons violations led to the discovery of stolen firearms and ammunition.

According to the Lake in the Hills Police Department, an officer stopped a white Ford pickup truck shortly before noon on Wednesday near the intersection of Algonquin and Crystal Lake roads in Lake in the Hills.

Police said the stop followed an anonymous tip alleging firearms violations. During the investigation, officers determined the driver, Jeremy R. Crutcher, 48, of Richmond, Illinois, was a convicted felon driving on a revoked license, according to a news release from the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

After Crutcher consented to a search of the vehicle, officers said they found ammunition and fireworks inside, according to a news release.

The tip also indicated firearms with defaced serial numbers were kept in the suspect’s toolbox. During questioning, Crutcher told officers the toolbox was located at his workplace, police said.

Investigators later obtained and executed a search warrant at the location and recovered two stolen firearms along with a third gun with a defaced serial number, according to police.

Crutcher was arrested and taken to the McHenry County Jail.

He has been charged with two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, five counts of unlawful use or possession of weapons or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession or transportation of a firearm without a serial number, and driving while revoked or suspended related to a DUI or statutory summary suspension.

He also faces a misdemeanor charge for violating the state’s fireworks regulation law.