False alarm medical emergency leads to arrest on drug charges

Police following up on what turned out to be a false emergency call at a northwest suburban home instead found a stash of marijuana and arrested the homeowner.

About 2 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to a “medical emergency” at a home in the 100 block of West Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake, but were unable to “make contact” with anyone inside, a statement from Crystal Lake police said.

Because of the emergency nature of the call, and “concerned for the well-being of any possible occupants,” police officers entered and searched the home for anyone in medical distress, police said.

They found 35-year-old Jonathan B. Ernst in a bedroom, and “were able to determine the reported medical emergency was a false alarm, accidentally set off by another family member no longer present,” police said.

However, during the search, police also found more than 300 grams of cannabis in Ernst’s bedroom, as well as “evidence of unlawful drug activity,” the statement said.

He was charged with felony counts of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and possession of cannabis, police said. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hypodermic syringe and unlawful production of cannabis plant.

Ernst remained in the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock as of Wednesday afternoon on a $35,000.00 bond, according to police.