A Lake County sheriff’s canine “got his birthday wish” after he tracked down a suspect who allegedly entered a woman’s home in Zion and attacked her, officials said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Daly said a woman was sleeping early Wednesday morning when she heard banging on her door.
The victim began walking towards the door and it was opened by a man, identified as Ryan D. Benson, 31, of McHenry.
Benson is an ex-partner of the victim, Daly said.
The woman, who has an active order of protection against Benson, told him to leave her home.
Daly said Benson tried taking the woman’s phone, pushed her to the ground and dragged her down the hallway.
Officers noticed minor injuries on the victim and learned Benson fled on foot.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said canine Drako and his handler Sheriff’s Deputy Roxana Stancioiu responded to the scene to assist in the search.
Drako began tracking and quickly located Benson hiding in a nearby bush.
The sheriff’s office said Drako, whose birthday was Tuesday, “got his birthday wish.” Drako turned two years old, the sheriff’s office said.
Zion police officers arrested Benson and transported him to the Lake County Jail.
Benson was charged with two counts of domestic battery, violating an order of protection, theft, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to residence and four counts of resisting a peace officer.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Benson, who also has active arrest warrants, held on a $200,000 bond.
Benson remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $20,000 cash to be released.
A bond review hearing is scheduled for March 28.