A man, who allegedly broke into a woman’s home before beating and strangling her, was captured in a marsh area by a Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Unit early Thursday morning.
The Lake County Sheriffโs Office was called at 2:20 a.m. to a residence in the 18700 block of West Ash Drive in Grandwood Park, which is near Gurnee, for a domestic battery call.
Lake County Sheriff’s Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that Lonnie J. Henderson, 39, forced entry into the victimโs home and then strangled and battered her. The victim was able to escape from the home and call 911.
Henderson fled the scene and Canine Dax and Deputy Forlenza, who are one of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Units, responded to help conduct a track of Henderson.
Canine Dax tracked Hendersonโs scent for a half-mile and found him hiding in a marshy area near a business, Covelli said. Henderson surrendered and was arrested without incident.
Covelli said that the man was an “ex-acquaintance” of the woman. She was treated by paramedics at the scene for her injuries.
“This is yet another example of the important value of our Sheriffโs Canine Teams. From fleeing felons to high-risk missing persons, our Canine Teams are tremendously successful keeping Lake County safe,”ย Sheriff Mark Curran said.
Henderson was charged with aggravated domestic battery, enhanced domestic battery, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to property and disorderly conduct.
He remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing.