Schools are on soft lockdown Monday as police continue their manhunt search for a suspect who is considered armed and dangerous after crashing a car in Grayslake Sunday evening.
The incident began in Grayslake around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The suspect’s vehicle, a white Lexus RX 350 SUV, crashed into a tree in the 1400 block of Churchhill Lane in Grayslake.
The Grayslake-Hainesville Police Department began searching for the suspect.
Officers were seen using a drone to search the area of the Renwood Golf Course.
Village officials sent a text message and email to area residents warning them to stay inside and lock their doors.
The message asked residents to report suspicious activity by calling 911. A phone call was also made to residents saying that the suspect was “armed and dangerous.”
Officers searched the area extensively for several hours into the night but were unable to locate the suspect.
Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 sent an initial email Monday morning to parents about the situation.
The school district said they consulted with law enforcement and as a result would be open Monday as scheduled despite the suspect not being in custody.
Schools would increase the presence of staff at entrances, welcome students into the school immediately upon their arrival and will plan for indoor recess and PE, according to the letter.
The district, which initially said the suspect was wanted for an armed robbery, sent a follow-up letter saying that the suspect was not connected to an armed robbery as previously believed.
The district said in their follow-up letter at 10 a.m. Monday that police had just called for a soft lockdown at Meadowview School and Avon Center School.
Police are continuing their search for the wanted suspect.
“The rest of the schools are not on soft lockdown as the police department has not indicated that this would be necessary for the rest of our schools. However, we will continue to keep students at all schools inside for recess and Physical Education,” District Superintendent Dr. Lynn Glickman said.
Glickman said it has not been determined yet whether after-school and evening school activities would be canceled.
Grayslake District 127 schools are also on soft lockdown, officials said. “No one will be allowed in or out of the building until the soft lockdown is lifted.”
“The [police] operation was necessitated by a report of a criminal suspect in that neighborhood requiring a police response. This is an ongoing operation. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” the village said.
Village officials said the suspect is a male black, 5-foot-9, 250 pounds and in his mid-40s. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.
The Grayslake Police Department has not responded yet to a request for further information regarding what the suspect is wanted for.