Tracy W. Pennell, 47
Tracy W. Pennell, 47

A wanted sex offender and gang member was caught after he tried running from police during an arrest warrant in Waukegan.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Team and the U.S. Marshals Service – Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Tracy W. Pennell, 47, on Wednesday.

Pennell, a convicted sex offender and a documented street gang member, was wanted on a felony warrant for failure of sex offender to report a change of address. The warrant was issued on September 27 following an investigation by the Zion Police Department.

Authorities said that during the investigation, police developed information that Pennell was in the area of Green Bay Road and Grand Avenue in Waukegan. Warrants Team Members conducted surveillance in the area and located Pennell walking near an area motel.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that as Warrants Team Members approached, Pennell tried running from them by hiding behind a building. The Warrants Team took Pennell into custody without further incident behind a business in the 600 block of Green Bay Road in Waukegan.

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Pennell was transported to the Lake County Jail where he remains held on a $100,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court on October 25 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom C-120.