Officers arrested a Waukegan man after they say he burglarized two vehicles in Lake Forest, leading to an hour-long search that resulted in a foot chase Monday afternoon.
The Lake Forest Police Department responded around 3:45 p.m. Monday to a call from a resident in the 100 block of East Franklin Place who found a man in their vehicle inside their garage.
Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Kevin Zelk said the subject fled on foot when confronted.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Kailey Hopkins said police set up a perimeter and searched for approximately an hour for the suspect.
Officers found him hiding near the Robert McClory Bike Path close to McKinley Road and Woodland Road.
Zelk said the suspect fled on foot from officers and was taken into custody in the 1000 block of North Western Avenue following a chase.
The 911 caller positively identified Henry T. Williams, 19, of Waukegan, as the subject inside their vehicle.
Hopkins said Williams told officers he “f—ed up” and made a mistake.
Williams said he was living at a friend’s house and the friend told him to leave so he was walking around and looking for money and items, Hopkins said.
Hopkins said that Williams tried to get into multiple cars before finding two that were unlocked and entering them.
Zelk said the Highland Park Police Department also reported a similar incident involving Williams that they had investigated the previous week.
“This incident highlights how important it is for residents to stay aware and report anything unusual,” Lake Forest Chief of Police John Burke said. “Because of that, our officers were able to bring the suspect into custody without further incident.”
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of burglary to building, a Class 2 felony, and two counts of burglary to motor vehicle, a Class 3 felony.
Williams was transported to the Lake County Courthouse on Tuesday for a First Appearance Court hearing.
The charges are non-detainable and he was released by Lake County Judge Matthew DeMartini with pre-trial conditions.
Williams is scheduled to appear in court again on December 10.