Palatine Man Charged in Meth Lab Bust at Grayslake Hotel

A 40-year-old Palatine man who used pit bulls to guard the hotel room in Grayslake, which he used as a meth lab for over a month, is being held at the Lake County Jail on a $500,000 bail following a court hearing Tuesday.

Martin P. Bloomberg now faces several charges, including methamphetamine manufacturing, aggravated methamphetamine manufacturing in an apartment or multi-unit living space, possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bloomberg was arrested at Comfort Suites Hotel, 1775 E. Route 120, on Monday night. The Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group found a small amount of the ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine for personal use inside Bloomberg's room, according to a village of Grayslake press release.

Due to the hazardous and volatile nature of some chemicals, the Grayslake Fire Department was notified and as a precaution, the hotel was temporarily evacuated until the Illinois State Police Meth Response Team arrived and cleaned up the room, according to the news release. The hotel was re-opened a short time later and there were no injuries reported.

During a court hearing on Tuesday, the Daily Herald reports Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Christopher Corbin spoke of the conditions that lead to Bloomberg's arrest:

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Christopher Corbin said officers confronted Bloomberg as he walked out of his room Monday night. They returned with a warrant and searched the room. Bloomberg's room was guarded by two pit bulls, Corbin said. Police recovered ammonia, several cooking vessels, various chemicals and other items, and small quantities of methamphetamine, he said.

More via the Daily Herald