Police: McHenry man who claimed to have COVID-19 coughed on, bit officers

Police on Monday arrested a 21-year-old McHenry man who claimed to be COVID-19 positive before spitting on and biting two officers following a suspected drunken driving stop, officials say.

Jonathon T. Larson, of the 5700 block of Landcaster Circle, is charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, aggravated assault to a police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed, not wearing a seat belt, operating an uninsured vehicle, and improper traffic lane use.

The situation began at 5:37 p.m. Monday when McHenry police were called to the scene of a single-vehicle rollover crash in the 800 block of Curran Road.

Investigators suspected the driver of a black 2008 Lexus ran off the roadway while driving under the influence of alcohol, McHenry police spokesman Patrick Polidori said.

After performing roadside sobriety tests, Larson, 21, told police that he had COVID-19 and intentionally coughed in an officer's face. He later bit a hospital security officer in the arm, breaking the officer's skin, court records show.

Each of the responding officers was wearing a department-issued mask for the duration of the traffic stop and arrest, Polidori said.

It was not immediately clear whether Larson had actually tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of his arrest.

Polidori declined to comment, saying the department could not disclose Larson's medical information.

Larson remained at the McHenry County Jail Tuesday on a $50,000 bond, meaning he would need to post $5,000 to be released. He had not yet hired an attorney as of Tuesday, records show.

Larson is next scheduled to appear in court on Friday.