A man convicted in a stabbing of his roommate in 2017 was arrested Wednesday with the help of two sheriff’s canines after officials say he pulled a knife and threatened to slit someone’s throat in Wadsworth.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday to the 15900 block of West Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth for a report of an aggravated assault.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and learned that Joshua W. Marksberry, 39, who lives at the residence, had pulled a knife on a victim, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Marksberry threatened that victim and also threatened to slit the throat of another person on the property, Covelli said.
Marksberry fled on foot prior to the arrival of sheriff’s deputies and he was not immediately located.
A person matching Marksberry’s description was seen in the area of Wadsworth Road and Dilleys Road around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and established a perimeter in the area.
Lake County Sheriff Canine Hemi and his handler, Deputy Kevin Zerbe, along with Canine Danno and his handler, Deputy Andrew Martini, responded to search the inside of the perimeter.
Covelli said Hemi led deputies toward a tent in a wooded area on the property while the search was in progress.
Sheriff’s deputies made announcements for Marksberry to exit the tent. He complied and was taken into custody without incident.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved charges of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a Class A misdemeanor.
“We are very pleased our Patrol Division and Canine Teams were able to successfully apprehend this violent man, before someone was seriously injured or worse. Great job to Canines Hemi and Danno and congratulations to Canine Hemi on his first track resulting in a find!” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
Marksberry remains held in the Lake County Jail after appearing for a First Appearance Court hearing on Thursday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Marksberry while he awaits trial and a detention hearing has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Marksberry is a convicted felon after being charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm for stabbing his roommate, a then-38-year-old man, several times on James Drive in unincorporated Lake Villa on July 13, 2017.
Marksberry pleaded guilty in that case to an aggravated battery charge and was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.