3 Charged After Armed Knife Attack At Park: Police

ANTIOCH, IL — Three men have been charged following an armed confrontation at Sequoit Creek Park Saturday night, which involved multiple knives, a chase through the park and threats against several people, police said.

The Antioch Police Department said officers responded around 9 p.m. after an officer monitoring the village’s public-area surveillance system spotted several people get out of a vehicle and chase another person through the park, according to a news release. Two individuals were seen carrying large fixed-blade knives, according to police.

The officer immediately broadcast the information over police radio, and multiple Antioch officers responded. Police said officers arrived within minutes and safely took three people into custody.

Investigators said witnesses reported that several people involved were armed with knives. One victim was allegedly chased through the park before being physically assaulted, while other victims and witnesses were threatened. Police said one suspect allegedly held a knife to a victim’s throat and threatened to kill them.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, for each of the three suspects.

Those charged are:

• Nicholas Pluta, 21, of Trevor, Wisconsin
• Mitchell Alcock, 20, of Volo
• Brian Marciniak, 21, of North Chicago

Police said detectives continue to work with prosecutors as the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be considered. The three suspects also received 11 additional citations related to the incident, according to the news release.

The Antioch Police Department credited Per Mar Security officers who were working at Sequoit Creek Park for attempting to intervene and protect park patrons when the situation escalated. Police said one armed suspect then turned his attention toward the security officers and threatened them with a knife.

The village board recently approved a contract with Per Mar Security for daily patrols in and around Sequoit Creek Park as part of an effort to increase public safety. Antioch police officers and community service officers also regularly patrol village parks.

“This incident had the potential to end in tragedy,” Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said in a statement. “The security officers on scene, the officer monitoring the village’s camera system, and the responding Antioch Police officers all acted immediately, and their collaborative response helped prevent a tragic outcome.”

Guttschow said the incident appeared to be targeted and not a random attack on park

The suspects remained in custody pending their first court appearance.