The Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s newest furry deputy — canine Danno — located a missing person in mental distress during his first call Monday evening near Antioch.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:40 p.m. Monday to a vehicle crash near Route 173 and Lake Avenue in unincorporated Antioch.
Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Lt. Christopher Covelli said a passenger in a vehicle was having a mental health crisis.
The passenger got into a “heated argument” with a family member who was driving and the altercation caused the driver to crash the vehicle.
The passenger then fled the scene on foot. The driver was worried for the passenger’s safety because they were experiencing a mental health crisis and possibly injured, Covelli said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s newest canine, Danno, was called to the scene with his handler Deputy Andrew Martini.
Sheriff’s canine Duke and his handler Deputy Dwight Arrowood were also called to the scene to assist.
Duke and Danno along with a police drone operator worked together and located the male passenger about a quarter-mile away.
He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for a mental wellness evaluation.
On Wednesday, Danno was officially sworn in by Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg and Lake County Clerk Robin O’Connor, who administered the Oath of Office.