Harvard man punched security guard at sports center in Crystal Lake while being removed, authorities say

A Harvard man is accused of punching a security guard and grabbing him by the arm while being removed from The MAC Sports Center in Crystal Lake, according to McHenry County court records.

Hugo Escobar, Jr., 24, was charged Saturday with aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony; aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony; and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, the court records show.

Authorities allege in court records that Escobar, while being removed from the MAC Center in Crystal Lake Saturday night, punched a security guard in the face and grabbed the guard’s neck and arm, leaving a small laceration on the guard’s arm.

Escobar “was creating a disturbance with others which almost led to an altercation with other patrons of the MAC Center,” according to the criminal complaint filed in McHenry County court.

A judge ruled Monday that Escobar could be released from custody pending trial. Prosecutors did not seek to have Escobar held in McHenry County jail pretrial, but they asked the judge to set conditions on his release, among them that he refrain from approaching or communicating with the security officer, from consuming alcohol and from going to the MAC.

Those conditions were granted, and Escobar was also ordered to turn over to authorities any firearms in his possession within 24 hours, and turn in a firearm owner’s ID card, according to court documents.

A representative of The MAC was not available for comment Monday.