Prosecutors say a theft suspect who was fleeing police ran into the backyard of a home in Waukegan, only to be arrested by the homeowner, who was an off-duty police officer.
Dominic J. Longmire, 24, a transient of Waukegan, was charged with retail theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a peace officer, criminal trespass to property and disorderly conduct.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said during a bond hearing that Longmire walked into a Walgreens in Waukegan on June 2.
Longmire had a backpack with him and was observed stuffing his pockets with merchandise inside the business.
Employees asked the man to leave the store and the police were called.
An officer found Longmire down the street and a foot pursuit ensued, Katris said.
Katris said that Longmire began jumping fences to try to flee officers and ended up in the backyard of a home, which was owned by a Zion police sergeant.
The off-duty police sergeant detained Longmire until officers arrived.
Police found eyeglasses, eyelashes and shirts, which belonged to Walgreens, inside Longmire’s backpack.
Longmire admitted to stealing the merchandise, which had a total value of over $400, Katris said.
Katris said that Longmire was previously convicted this year of another retail theft.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak, who noted that Longmire has failed to appear in court for multiple previous cases, ordered the man held on a $25,000 bond.
Longmire remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $2,500 cash in order to be released.