Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Rock Falls Man Arrested After Standoff at Dixon Hotel

DIXON, Ill. – In a dramatic turn of events, law enforcement authorities apprehended a Rock Falls individual following a tense standoff at a local hotel. The incident occurred on December 17 at the Magnuson Hotel, situated at 443 Illinois Route 2 in Dixon. The Lee County Dispatch received a distressing 911 call from a concerned individual who reported being threatened with a firearm by an unidentified person.

Responding promptly to the emergency, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Dixon Police Department, and Illinois State Police swiftly converged on the scene. These agencies coordinated their efforts to handle the situation effectively and ensure the safety of all involved.

After conducting a thorough investigation, law enforcement authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Steven M. Armoska, a resident of Rock Falls who had been staying in a room at the Magnuson Hotel. Shockingly, Armoska’s background check revealed a lengthy criminal history, marked by multiple prior weapons offenses and felony convictions. This troubling revelation only intensified the urgency of the situation.

In response to the escalating threat, the Joint Operations Group, a specialized unit comprising tactical officers from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Dixon Police Department, and medics from the Dixon City Fire Department, was activated. As a precautionary measure, occupants of the hotel were promptly evacuated, ensuring their safety. Simultaneously, law enforcement set up a secure perimeter around Armoska’s hotel room.

Despite repeated attempts to establish communication, Armoska remained unresponsive throughout the afternoon, prompting authorities to take further action. In an effort to initiate a peaceful surrender and open a dialogue, law enforcement made the decision to deploy CS chemical agent into the hotel room. Shortly after the deployment, Armoska eventually emerged from his room and was promptly taken into custody, bringing an end to the tense standoff.

Following the arrest, a comprehensive search of the hotel room was conducted. The search yielded the discovery of multiple firearms, cannabis, and other controlled substances, further compounding the seriousness of Armoska’s alleged offenses.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Subsequently, Steven M. Armoska was charged with several serious offenses. The charges include:

• Armed Habitual Criminal (4 counts) – classified as a Class X Felony
• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (4 counts) – classified as a Class 2 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine – classified as a Class 3 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (100 to 500 grams) – classified as a Class 4 Felony
• Aggravated Assault – classified as a Class A Misdemeanor

Currently, Armoska is being held at the Lee County Jail pending a detention hearing. Throughout the investigation and subsequent arrest, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received invaluable assistance from the Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office and other collaborating law enforcement agencies at the scene. It is important to note that the charges against Armoska are merely allegations, and, as with all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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