LEE COUNTY — On Dec. 17, at approximately 9:39 a.m., Lee County Dispatch received a 911 call from the Magnuson Hotel, located at 443 Illinois Route 2, that a subject had just threatened him with a firearm at the location. Lee County Deputies along with officers from the Dixon Police Department and the Illinois State Police responded to the scene.
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LEE COUNTY — On Dec. 17, at approximately 9:39 a.m., Lee County Dispatch received a 911 call from the Magnuson Hotel, located at 443 Illinois Route 2, that a subject had just threatened him with a firearm at the location. Lee County Deputies along with officers from the Dixon Police Department and the Illinois State Police responded to the scene.
Through the investigation, the subject was identified as 29-year-old Steven M. Armoska, of Rock Falls, and was found to be staying in Room 223 at the Magnuson Hotel. Armoska was discovered to have a lengthy criminal history with numerous prior weapons offenses and felony convictions.
The determination was made to activate the Joint Operations Group, which is a group of tactical officers from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Dixon Police Department, and medics with the Dixon City Fire Department. A perimeter was established around Room 223 and occupants of the hotel were evacuated. Throughout the afternoon, officers attempted to make contact on numerous occasions with Armoska to no avail. The decision was made to deploy CS chemical agent into the hotel room in an effort to open a dialogue and negotiate a peaceful surrender. Shortly after the chemical agent was deployed, Mr. Armoska emerged from the hotel room and was taken into custody.
A search of the hotel room revealed multiple firearms, cannabis, and other controlled substances. Steven Armoska was charged with the following offenses:
• Armed Habitual Criminal (4 counts), a Class X Felony
• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (4 counts), a Class 2 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (100 to 500 Grams), a Class 4 Felony
• Aggravated Assault, a Class A Misdemeanor
Armoska is being held at the Lee County Jail pending a detention hearing. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by the Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office along with the other law enforcement agencies at the scene.
The charges are merely an allegation and all parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
