Man arrested after McHenry police standoff detained in jail pretrial

Patrick Anderson, a man who held police in armored vehicles at bay for several hours Thursday at his McHenry home, was ordered by a McHenry County judge Friday to be detained while he awaits trial.

Anderson, 44, is charged with two counts of residential burglary, each a Class 1 felony, and obstructing justice. It was the alleged burglaries – two reported in recent days from a residence nearby – that led police to Anderson’s home just off the Fox River on Thursday morning to serve search and arrest warrants.

[ Photos: Police standoff in McHenry ]

At a detention hearing Friday, where Anderson had his first court appearance before Judge Michael Zasadil, a prosecutor detailed what led up to the arrival of the SWAT team and tank at Anderson’s home.

The person who lives in the apartment that Anderson is accused of burglarizing twice told police that he had seen Anderson on a security camera trying to kick in the front door days before authorities said he successfully broke in.

The man said he also has a camera inside his apartment, and he saw Anderson walking around for about 10 minutes. On that day, Anderson allegedly stole a green backpack and a PlayStation, Assistant State’s Attorney Garrett Miller said in court Friday while reading the details in a letter that a detective provided.

When the man returned home, he also said the comforter and pillows on his bed were messed up. Anderson later told a detective that he believed the man who lived there was sex-trafficking someone he knows and thought someone was hiding under the bed, so he lifted up the mattress, Miller said.

On Thursday, Anderson returned to the apartment and was seen on camera again, allegedly stealing a camera and modem, authorities said.

When police arrived at Anderson’s home Thursday to investigate the burglaries, Anderson “retreated” into his home and refused police commands to come out, police and Miller said.

A larger regional law enforcement response was called in, with a tank and special-unit officers surrounding his home for at least four hours. Police broke windows and doors and brought in a K-9 to find Anderson, Miller said, adding that a drone was used to spot Anderson hiding in his attic. Police said he then walked out of his home and was arrested without further incident.

Miller said a detective reported that Anderson was jumpy and agitated and told the detective that he was “manic” and under the influence of heroin and cocaine “the last few days.”

In arguing that Anderson is dangerous and cannot be trusted to appear for court dates, Miller said that on Thursday, Anderson tried to evade arrest, prompting a large police response, and he has a history of not showing up to court in previous cases.

Miller also listed Anderson’s criminal history, including a prison sentence for possession of a firearm. Miller noted that during this week’s alleged offenses, Anderson was on pretrial release on misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property and resisting a police officer while also on probation for domestic battery.

Court records show that Anderson was convicted in January of felony domestic battery and was sentenced to two years of probation. Police also said Anderson previously was sentenced to six years in prison for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

In arguing for Anderson’s release, Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger disputed the notion that Anderson has a history of failing to show up for court and that related warrants were quashed. Giesinger also refuted that Thursday’s standoff indicates Anderson’s unwillingness to show up for court.

Police knew where he was, he did not try to set up traps to keep them out of the house, and he did not attempt to run, Giesinger said. Anderson also was not armed, is not suicidal, and he disclosed to police that he was under the influence of heroin and cocaine, the attorney said.

Authorities had said that an indication Anderson could be armed was part of the reason for the stepped-up police presence. But authorities have not said that any firearms were found in his home, and he has not been charged with weapons-related offenses. Police said the investigation continues.