A suspect wanted for attempted murder in connection with a daytime shooting in McHenry escaped on Wednesday from a Lake County correctional center and police are asking for the public’s help in locating him.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Deontae Wade, 26, of the 2600 block of Horeb Avenue in Zion, was on electronic monitoring for an unrelated case and was due to be discharged from his sentence.
Wade returned to the Lake County Sheriff’s Community Based Correctional Center in Waukegan around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday to have his electronic monitoring device removed, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Christopher Covelli.
Just before Wade arrived, correctional officers learned the man was wanted on an arrest warrant for attempted murder stemming from a shooting in McHenry on August 29.
The incident in McHenry occurred at Route 31 and Bull Valley Road. Over 50 shell casings were recovered following a shootout that occurred in the middle of the day at the intersection.
When Wade arrived back at the CBCC, correctional officers attempted to take him into custody on the warrant, Covelli said.
“Wade was able to defeat their attempt to handcuff him, and he fled out of the building. A correctional officer gave chase, however, Wade was able to flee,” Covelli said.
Numerous sheriff’s deputies, sheriff’s detectives, members of the sheriff’s special investigations group, and members of the sheriff’s tactical response team attempted to locate and apprehend Wade until early Thursday morning.
“It is believed Wade was likely able to quickly call a friend or family for a ride out of the area,” Covelli said.
Wade is still on the run and apprehension efforts continue.
In addition to the McHenry County arrest warrant, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for escape for Wade. Anyone who sees Wade is asked to call 911.
Anyone who knows of Wade’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 847-377-4000 or leave an anonymous tip with Lake County CrimeStoppers at 847-662-2222 or www.lakecountycrimestoppers.com.