A second male suspect, who is connected to a death investigation of victim Matthew Ascaridis, has been charged with a crime. Matthew Ascaridis, age 45, of Highland Park, died in a violent struggle near the Lake Michigan shoreline and a short distance from his home near the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. Details of the struggle have not been released, but two young male adults are part of the death investigation.
Jacob Firestone, 18, of the 1300 block of Saint Johns Avenue, Highland Park, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, was discharged from an area hospital. He had been hospitalized due to injuries he sustained during an incident that the Lake County Major Crime Task Force described as a violent confrontation. Following his discharge from the hospital, Jacob Firestone was taken into custody by investigators.
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force stated on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 that during the death investigation, it became apparent that Firestone was responsible for attempting to conceal evidence of this incident — after the incident occurred. At this time, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two felony counts of obstructing justice against Firestone. Additional charges for Jacob Firestone and Nicholas M. Caban, the other male connected to the death investigation, are being considered by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Jacob Firestone appeared at an initial court hearing Wednesday morning, and his bond was set at $75,000.00. He currently remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a return court date of October 12, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom T020.
The bond for Nicholas M. Caban was set at $100,000 earlier this week.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— Lake County Sheriff’s Office
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force Investigators and Lake County Forest Preserve Police on Saturday, September 17, 2022, conducted a search warrant at the residence of Nicholas M. Caban, age 20, of the 3400 block of Dato Avenue Highland Park, pursuant to a death investigation on the shoreline of Lake Michigan near the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. Caban is one of two male individuals that the Lake County Major Crime Task Force stated was involved in a violent confrontation near the shoreline that killed a male resident of unincorporated Lake Forest. During the search warrant, investigators located a semiautomatic pistol in Caban’s bedroom. The firearm had no identifiable serial numbers, according to a statement from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force Sunday evening.
The firearm located at Caban’s residence in Highland Park was not used in the violent confrontation which took place about 1:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2022 in the forest preserve.
Regarding the discovery of the defaced firearm possessed by Nicholas M. Caban, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number (class 3 felony). The investigation remains open and ongoing. Additional charges are possible following further investigation and the results of the victim’s autopsy.
Caban will appear at an initial court hearing on Monday morning September 19, 2022.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, September 18, 2022 provided two information updates regarding the investigation of a body found near the Lake Michigan shoreline about 5:10 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2022.
Forest Preserve Police Detectives and Lake County Task Force Investigators continue to investigate this incident, and also announced on Sunday morning that a preliminary investigation indicates that the victim, a 45 year-old man who lives near the Lake Michigan shoreline, went outside to speak with individuals who were being loud on the lakeshore shortly after 1:00 a.m. on September 17, 2022. After making contact with the individuals, a violent confrontation ensued, resulting in the death of the 45-year-old man.
The two others involved in the confrontation, a 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old man, both sustained injuries in the confrontation. Both men were hospitalized for their injuries and both are speaking with investigators.
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve hours on every day of the week are 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Highland Park Police were dispatched about 5:10 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2022 to the block of 0-99 Cliff Road, Highland Park, for a report of an unconscious person on Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Highland Park Police responded and located a deceased adult male.
Officials determined the location of the incident was at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, located at 117 Sheridan Road in unincorporated Lake Forest. Lake County Forest Preserve Police responded and are taking lead in the death investigation.
Lake County Forest Preserve Police requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, due to injuries located on the man’s body. Lake County Forest Preserve Police and Lake County Major Crime Task Force investigators are actively investigating the incident.
There are no indications there is a threat to the community, according to a Lake County Major Crime Task Force statement Saturday morning.
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