Attack on woman triggers heavy police presence and leads to arrest at Gurnee apartment

A large police response was sent to a Gurnee residence early Saturday morning after a woman was attacked by her husband armed with a knife, officials said.

The Gurnee Police Department responded to 2400 Wembley Court around 12:20 p.m. Saturday for a report of a domestic disturbance.

Lake County Assistant Prosecutor Emma Smoler said the victim and suspect are married.

The victim reported that she needed help after her husband, Robert E. Derham, 79, of Gurnee, brandished a knife.

When officers arrived, they found the front door opening and closing, Smoler said. They learned the victim tried to open the door, but Derham kept joining her.

At some point, officers saw Derham push the victim to the ground and drag him along the ground, Smoler said.

Derham closed the door and officers gained entry to assist the woman.

Smoler said Derham began resisting arrest and was eventually taken into custody.

The victim told officers the incident began because Derham was drunk.

He hit her on both sides of the head with a stick before pulling out a pocket knife and holding it next to her face, Smoler said.

The slightly injured female victim was examined at the scene by paramedics but refused transport to hospital.

Almost the entire Gurnee Police Department shift was on scene.

Officers were also seen arresting a second male subject at the scene, but details of his arrest were not immediately available.

Derham was charged with two counts of assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting a peace officer.

The Lake County District Attorney's Office filed a motion to arrest Derham, calling him a danger to the victim.

Lake County Judge Ari Fisz ordered Derham held in the Lake County Jail until his hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon.