Two adults wanted by federal agents were taken into custody in front of students and staff members at Warren Township High School’s O’Plaine Campus early Thursday morning, police officials said.
Shawn Gaylor, Public Information Officer for the Gurnee Police, said in a statement at 11 a.m. that the Gurnee Police Department was notified of an incident involving federal law enforcement agencies in pursuit of a vehicle occupied by individuals who had been previously deported for felony offenses.
According to information provided by federal agents, the suspects were wanted by federal authorities, Gaylor said, which resulted in a pursuit outside of Gurnee and involved multiple crashes in neighboring jurisdictions before entering the village limits.
At approximately 8:21 AM, the fleeing suspect vehicle was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed westbound on Grand Avenue when it lost a tire near the intersection of Grand Avenue and First Street.
The detached tire struck a vehicle traveling eastbound on Grand Avenue, Gaylor said.
The suspect vehicle continued westbound on Grand Avenue before turning south onto O’Plaine Road, near the entrance to Warren Township High School’s O’Plaine Campus.
The occupants of the fleeing vehicle exited the car and ran toward the high school, Gaylor said.
One suspect entered the school and was immediately detained by federal agents, Gaylor said.
The second suspect was also quickly taken into custody outside of the school, Gaylor said.
In a message to parents on Warren Township High School District 121’s Facebook page, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Woestman said federal agents appeared at the O’Plaine Campus at 500 N. O’Plaine Road because of an off-campus incident between federal agents and adults.
He said the incident was not related to the school district.
According to the district website, the O’Plaine Campus generally houses 9th and 10th-grade students.
Woestman said the adults involved entered the O’Plaine campus through a door that was being used appropriately by students and staff who were exiting the building as part of their daily routine.
He said the federal agents followed the adults into the building.
Woestman said a physical altercation took place between federal agent personnel and the adults in front of students and staff members at the O’Plaine campus building.
Woestman said one adult was immediately taken into custody and removed from the building without further incident.
The Gurnee Police Department did not take part in the pursuit, detention, or arrest of the individuals involved in this incident, Gaylor said.
Under the Illinois Trust Act, the Gurnee Police Department is prohibited from assisting, supporting, or participating in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws, she added.
The Gurnee Police Department School Resource Officer was present at the O’Plaine Campus at the time of the incident, Gaylor said, and that individual worked closely with school administration to secure the campus and ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
The situation was resolved quickly, and a lockdown was not required.
Gaylor said the Gurnee Police Department understands that developing situations of this nature can be alarming to students, staff, and parents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported for anyone on campus or to motorists in the area, she added.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Warren Township High School staff, students, and parents for their cooperation and patience throughout the incident,” Gaylor said.
Video obtained by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner and posted online shows the federal agents taking the two individuals into custody in the parking lot and shoving them into the back of two separate white SUVs.
“I am very grateful for the staff who acted immediately in the best interest of students,” Woestman said.
“WTHS takes these situations very seriously. If you would like to read more about our protocols to protect our students, and/or other resources, we have that available on our website,” the online statement says.