A male resident of Woodstock was arrested immediately after Woodstock police officers recognized the male’s image on surveillance video that captured his image as he repeatedly punched and kicked a gas station clerk working at a Shell gas station on Eastwood Drive on the east side of Woodstock. Police were familiar with the suspect, and were able to arrest him immediately after he fled the gas station.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced Friday, January 2, 2026 that the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Austin Silverman, age 29, of Woodstock, Illinois. Silverman appeared in Initial Appearance Court on Friday, January 2, 2026, charged with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, a class X felony, and one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place, a class 3 felony.
Evidence was presented in court Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026 that in the morning hours of December 31, 2025, Silverman entered the Shell Gas Station located at 110 N. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock and approached the clerk working behind the counter. Silverman inquired with the clerk for a job application, which was declined. Silverman became enraged, crossed the threshold behind the counter, and attacked the clerk, punching and kicking her repeatedly. At some point, Silverman stopped the brutal attack and left the store. The clerk managed to get to her feet and locked the door. While outside that gas station store, Silverman then attempted to unsuccessfully blow up the gas station by extinguishing a cigarette into a gas pump. Moments later, Silverman returned to the store and tried to come back inside. Responding officers viewed surveillance video and were able to identify Silverman as the assailant. The clerk sustained severe injuries to her face, ribs, and arms.
During the hearing on the State’s Petition to Deny Pre-trial Release, Judge Lamb found that there were no conditions or combinations of conditions that the court could impose to keep the community safe based on dangerousness.
State’s Attorney Freese commended the Woodstock Police Department for their immediate response and apprehension of Silverman.
“This was a brutal, heinous, and unprovoked attack on a defenseless woman. We are pleased that, after the hearing, our petition to detain this dangerous defendant was granted and that he will remain in custody pending the outcome of these charges.”
— McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese
Silverman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in McHenry County Circuit Court courtroom 302.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Austin Silverman, detained, accused of beating clerk after job application request was denied at a Shell gas station in Woodstock, Illinois (CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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