A judge ordered a man, who has an extensive criminal history, held on a $500,000 bond for allegedly punching Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax after the police dog tracked him down and bit him in Fox Lake.
Amador A. Estrada, 43, of Round Lake Beach, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint, two counts of enhanced domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and striking a police animal.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Valiulis said that Estrada and his girlfriend had been drinking and an argument began around 11 p.m. Thursday.
Estrada went through the woman’s phone and accused her of cheating.
The argument turned physical when Estrada allegedly struck the victim in the face.
He put the victim in the shower to clean up and then closed the bathroom door and told her she was not coming out, Valiulis said.
The victim eventually opened the door and Estrada put the woman into a chokehold, Valiulis said.
The woman reported she was unable to breathe and felt like she was going to lose consciousness.
Estrada allegedly refused to let the woman leave the apartment, took her phone back from her and threatened to kill her.
The woman escaped and ran to the security guard shack of the apartment complex and security called 911, Valiulis said.
Fox Lake police officers observed that the victim had several injuries and they were told that Estrada fled the scene.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said that Deputy John Forlenza and his canine partner Dax were called to assist the Fox Lake Police Department with the incident, which occurred in the 0-100 block of Bermuda Colony in Fox Lake.
Dax arrived and conducted an immediate track. A short time later, Dax found the man hiding under a blanket near an electrical box.
Estrada refused to surrender and Dax bit the man’s arm, Covelli said.
The man allegedly struck Dax but was quickly taken into custody by police officers. Dax was not injured.
After his arrest, Estrada admitted to punching the victim, Valiulis said.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak detailed Estrada’s lengthy criminal history during a Friday bond hearing.
The history included many domestic battery, assault, violation of order protection and other cases.
Potkonjak ordered the man held in the Lake County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He would need to post $50,000 cash in order to be released.
A bond reviewing hearing is scheduled for August 17.