'Going To Be A Murder Scene': New Lenox Man Refused To Leave Home, Claimed He Gave Child Gun, Prosecutors Say

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox man who kept police at bay in a multiple-hour barricade alluded to "a murder scene" and claimed he gave an 11-year-old boy a gun in case of a confrontation with police, according to court documents.

Nickolas Svehla, 49, also allegedly threatened to harm police and cut off communication with authorities amid the prolonged ordeal, officials said.

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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 woman bleeding.

According to prosecutors, police met with the woman, who said she had been arguing with Svehla. The woman and a 13-year-old girl fled the house, while Svehla and the 11-year-old boy remained inside. The woman told police that Svehla was armed but that she did not believe he would harm the boy.

Before the incident, prosecutors say Svelha was at a nearby bar before returning home when an argument over use of a car escalated to physical violence.

According to a petition to deny pretrial release, the woman told police that Svehla had "foot swept" her to the ground and that she "scratched, bit, and slapped" as she fought back. Police noticed superficial wounds to her neck and throat. The woman fled with the 13-year-old girl after prosecutors say Svehla threw her car keys at her.

Court documents allege that in the hours that followed, police attempted to communicate with Svehla, who was "not cooperative, made threats of violence towards police officers, and ceased communication with officers while remaining in the residence."

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

Will County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was requested, but Sheriff Mike Kelley decided against activating it, a decision he has since said "may not have been the right call."

Svehla would ultimately remain inside the home until the next morning, when he left and was arrested nearby, according to officials.

He appeared in court Tuesday for a pretrial detention hearing, where a Will County judge ordered him detained until trial.

'There is going to be a murder scene'

As police tried to coax Svehla out of the residence, he told them they were "going to have to come inside and get him," according to the Will County State's Attorney's petition to deny pretrial release.

Svehla reportedly told dispatchers that he did have a weapon but would not disclose what kind. He also claimed that in addition to the 11-year-old boy, a second child was inside the house with him, but prosecutors later said that assertion was false.

Svehla told dispatch that he would not leave the home while police outside were armed, and before he disconnected, warned, "There is going to be a murder scene," prosecutors said.

As the situation continued, Svehla reportedly texted with a friend, saying that police wanted to kill him. Svehla said he had 10 rounds and that "the police do not care if they 'smoke the kid.'"

According to prosecutors, friends who spoke with Svehla on the phone told police he had said he would "go down shooting," and another caller told dispatch that Svehla had given the boy with him a firearm amid the ordeal.

Throughout the incident, Svehla was seen turning lights on and off inside the home and using his phone flashlight to navigate as he moved throughout it. He also reportedly unlocked and remotely started a white pickup truck parked in the driveway, also unlocking an SUV, according to officials.

Prosecutors said he occasionally stepped out the front door to yell at police, later putting a note outside the residence telling officers to "come back at 0900 hours."

Authorities then disengaged, they said, to avoid further escalation.

Vodka & metal baton found in truck, guns found in house

Police were surveilling the home the next morning, when Svehla was seen leaving with the 11-year-old boy in a pickup truck. He was stopped nearby, the boy was removed from the truck and Svehla was taken into custody. An "expandable metal baton" was seen in the door of the truck, police said.

In the backseat was a gym bag containing one opened pint of vodka and one empty pint of vodka, according to police.

When interviewed by police, officials said Svehla claimed the woman had attacked him first and "tried to cut or stab him" with either a fork or knife. He then "performed a foot sweep and brought her to the ground to protect himself and control her."

When pressed on why he did not speak with police the night prior, Svehla said it wouldn't matter because he knew he was going to be arrested, according to the petition.

Police searched the home and found several guns inside a safe next to the bed, including a 9mm pistol in a holster with 10 rounds of live ammunition in the magazine and a live round in the chamber, plus a 25-caliber pistol with seven rounds of live ammunition and a live round of ammunition in the chamber. An older, short-barrel rifle was also found in a closet, while another older rifle was found hanging on a coat rack in the garage. A disassembled Uzi was also found in a box on a dresser in the bedroom, prosecutors said.

In petitioning to keep Svehla detained, prosecutors outlined his criminal history, which includes a battery conviction, DUI arrest and orders of protection filed against him but later dropped. Prosecutors also emphasized Svehla's propensity for alcohol and substance abuse, and prior firearm threats against his family that led to orders of protection being sought.

"The nature and circumstances of this incident are severe," prosecutors said. "The defendant made multiple statements to police dispatchers and to neighbors and friends about being a target of police and going down shooting. During the period the defendant was making the statements, he also claimed to have provided his minor child with a firearm to use in a potential police shoot-out. The defendant made further false claims of another minor in the residence. The defendant was alleged to have been intoxicated during this time and placed his minor child in danger."

A domestic violence form filled out by police indicates prior instances of violence and possible infidelity with indications of a failing relationship, prosecutors said. Police have a documented history of domestic violence by police calls to the residence, prosecutors said.

Svehla also previously voluntarily surrendered his FOID card for mental health struggles in 2010, prosecutors said, showing a history of mental health issues.

If Svehla were to be released, he would pose a danger to his family and others, prosecutors said.

"A simple court order does not prevent the defendant from having contact with the victim nor prevent the defendant from attacking the victim, let alone anyone else, rather it could simply allow for sanctions by the Court after the defendant reoffends," they said.

Svehla was ordered detained, with a next court date set for Oct. 13. He is also ordered not to have any contact with the victim or the two children.