FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

McHenry County State's Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that the Honorable Judge Cynthia D. Lamb granted the State's petition to deny pretrial release for Robert Waschitz, 50, of Marengo, Illinois, following his arrest on an eighth alleged DUI offense. Waschitz appeared in Initial Appearance Court this afternoon charged with Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with Five or More Prior Violations, a Class X felony, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, a Class 4 felony.

Evidence presented at today's detention hearing established that at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 23, 2026, an officer with the Marengo Police Department was on routine patrol when Waschitz, driving a silver SUV, pulled directly into the officer's path, nearly causing a collision. The officer then observed the vehicle weaving within its lane and nearly striking a curb before initiating a traffic stop.

Upon contacting Waschitz, the officer immediately observed signs of alcohol impairment. Waschitz performed standardized field sobriety tests, during which he exhibited multiple indicators of impairment. He subsequently submitted to a portable breath test that registered a .127 breath alcohol concentration. After being placed under arrest and transported to the Marengo Police Department, Waschitz provided an evidentiary breath sample at approximately 2:15 a.m., which revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .099.

During the hearing, the State also presented evidence that Waschitz has seven prior DUI convictions and that his driving privileges are currently revoked. Waschitz also has four prior convictions for driving while his license had been revoked.

After considering the evidence and arguments presented, Judge Lamb granted the State's petition, ordering that Waschitz remain detained pending trial.

Waschitz's next court appearance is scheduled for August 4, 2026, in Courtroom 302.

State's Attorney Freese stated: "At some point, enough has to be enough. Seven prior DUI convictions were not enough to stop this defendant from getting behind the wheel again. Every time he chose to drive impaired, he gambled with the lives of innocent motorists, pedestrians, and families in our community. Our office will continue to seek detention in cases where repeat offenders demonstrate they refuse to change their behavior and continue to endanger others."

Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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