Convicted Kidnapper Shoots At Creek, Faces New Charges: Sheriff

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox Township man has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapon after he fired several shots into a creek behind his home Tuesday, according to Will County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kathy Hoffmeyer. Ronald Mazeika, 45, of the 500 block of Old Hickory Road, was charged with possession/use of a firearm with a prior conviction, possession of a firearm with expired FOID and aggravated unlawful use of weapon.

Hoffmeyer told Patch Mazeika is a convicted felon, with a previous charge of kidnapping.

Police responded to the 500 block of Old Hickory Road at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday after they received a call of shots fired. According to the sheriff's office, deputies arrived and saw Mazeika near his garage and heard five or six rounds being shot off.

Hoffmeyer said Mazeika came out the front door and was searched, but had nothing on him, although deputies said he smelled like alcohol.

The deputies went into the house and found a semi-automatic pistol that had an empty magazine, Hoffmeyer said. They also found other ammunition in the house, as well as 15 spent shell casings on the ground outside and near the home.

According to the sheriff's office, witnesses told police Mazeika was shooting into a creek in the back of his house.

Mazeika was set to appear in court Wednesday, and was still in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility as of 1 p.m.