Mokena Man, 39, In Barricade Call Charged With Domestic Battery, Inoperable Rifle Found At Scene: Sheriff

MOKENA, IL — A Mokena man has been charged with domestic battery, after an hours-long barricade incident in the early morning hours Wednesday, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

Will County Sheriff's deputies were called Wednesday at 1:19 a.m. to the 18700 block of Marjorie Parkway in Mokena for a domestic violence call involving a reported armed and barricaded subject. Deputies learned that the victim and her three children had safely fled the residence.

Additional information indicated that the man involved had threatened violence, and a rifle was seen during the altercation, the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff's deputies established a perimeter, and a reverse 911 was issued advising residents within a two-block radius to shelter in place. Sheriff’s Office negotiators and SWAT personnel worked to de-escalate the situation.

At approximately 5:20 a.m., Kenneth Newbauer, of Mokena, peacefully surrendered to members of the Will County Sheriff's Office and was seen by medical professionals at the location of the incident. He was later transported to the Will County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division for further questioning.

A witness to part of the incident told authorities that Newbauer had a rifle in his possession after the altercation with a woman, and later put it down. A loaded AR-15 rifle was recovered by responding deputies; however, the rifle was found to be inoperable. After being questioned by detectives, Newbauer was charged with one count of domestic battery. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

The Will County Sheriff's Office thanked the Mokena and New Lenox police departments for their assistance in responding to the incident.

If you, or someone you know is facing a domestic violence situation, please call the Groundworks Domestic Violence Hotline at 815-729-1228, the Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline at 877-863-6338, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-787-SAFE (7233) or online at www.thehotline.org.