Driver wields dagger after school parking dispute
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com March 14, 2013 12:12PM
Shawn Techen
Updated: March 15, 2013 9:34AM
ROUND LAKE PARK — A driver upset with how a woman parked at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park threatened her, and then did so again the next day, brandishing a dagger.
Round Lake Park resident Shawn Techen, 39, of 509 N. Greenwood Ave., was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful use of a weapon, driving while suspended and passing a loading school bus, said Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko.
The first altercation was on Monday, March 11, and then when the woman returned with her husband on Tuesday, March 12, Techen allegedly pulled out a dagger-style boot knife during the confrontation on Greenwood Avenue, north of the school.
When police pulled Techen over in his Ford Explorer for passing the school bus around 3 p.m., Tuesday — officers are regularly at the school during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up — the suspect initially claimed to be an assault victim.
But the investigation by police led to charges again him. Filenko said Techen also was arrested previously on several charges, including aggravated assault in October 2012 in Mundelein.
“We take any criminal incident that occurs on or near school property seriously,” Filenko said, “We’ve had an outstanding relationship and cooperation with Murphy.”
Techen is scheduled to appear in Lake County Circuit Court on April 9.
