Antioch Township father, son charged in beating of private investigator

ANTIOCH -- A father and son in Antioch Township have been charged after police say they beat a private investigator who was in their neighborhood.

About 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Nicklaus Way and Harbor Ridge Drive, Antioch Township, for a disturbance in progress. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found a 51-year-old Island Lake man who had been severely beaten, according to a news release.

The man was taken to an area hospital with multiple broken bones and is currently in stable condition.

Preliminary investigation shows that the victim is a private investigator who was conducting surveillance in the area. He was parked in his vehicle conducting the surveillance and had called the sheriff’s office to advise that he would be in the area.

While conducing his investigation, he was approached by Russell S. Wright, 23, and Steven T. Wright, 62, both of the 24700 block of West Nicklaus Way. The two used a vehicle to block in the victim’s car, so the victim could not leave the scene, police said.

The Wrights forced the man’s car door open and slapped a video camera from his hands. Russell Wright then entered the car and began beating the victim, police said, and Steven Wright joined him. The man was able to dial 911, but one of the Wrights took his cellphone and smashed it on the ground. The 911 call still went thorough and LCSO 911 Telecommunicators were able to dispatch sheriff’s deputies.

Police say there is no known connection between the Wrights and the private investigator, nor was he conducting surveillance on the Wrights.

Sheriff’s deputies were able to arrest the Wright’s at the scene. After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges for both of the Wrights: Class 2 felony robbery, Class 3 felony aggravated battery and Class 4 felony criminal damage to property.

Steven Wright remains held in the Lake County Jail on $40,000 bail. He is next due in court on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom T020. Russell Wright also remains held on $40,000 bail and is next due in court on Jan. 26 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom T020.