New Lenox Man, 49, Threatened Cops, Cut Off Contact During Multi-Hour Incident: Police

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox man faces several charges after an incident that spanned hours at his home Sunday night into Monday, police said Monday afternoon. The man threatened to harm police and cut off communication, leading to a multiple-hour ordeal, officials said.

Police were dispatched to Alta Vista Drive around 6:30 p.m. Sunday for a domestic battery complaint. Officers were told that the witness could hear children crying and saw a female bleeding. Police at the scene met with the female victim, who said she had been arguing with Nickolas Svehla, 49.

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As the argument escalated, police said the victim said Svehla threw an object at her and knocked her to the ground, causing minor injuries. She also told police that guns were present in the home, officials said.

Svehla was "not cooperative, made threats of violence towards police officers, and ceased communication with officers while remaining in the residence," police said.

"This created significant safety concerns that required additional assistance and the South Suburban Emergency Response Team responded to assist the NLPD," police said.

On Monday morning, officers made contact with Svehla and were able to safely take him into custody. He was taken to the New Lenox Police Department and has been charged with domestic battery/endangering the life or health of a child and obstructing a police officer. No children were harmed, police emphasized.

A massive police presence remained outside the home late Sunday and overnight, with a reduced presence Monday morning. Negotiations were heard taking place late Sunday night, as residents in the area reported hearing authorities over a loudspeaker asking a person inside the home to come out with their hands up to avoid harm.

Police issued an update just before 9:30 a.m. Monday, saying that one person, later identified as Svehla, was in custody.

Svehla was taken to the Will County Jail.