A resident confronted a suspect who was trying to break into buildings on his property, prompting the sheriff’s office and police officers to conduct a large search near Richmond.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:40 a.m. February 21 to the 5800 block of Route 173 in unincorporated Richmond for a possible burglary attempt.
A 911 caller reported a man wearing a blue hoodie holding a hammer and tools was running away from his property toward Route 173 and Christopher Way.
The caller reported seeing the suspect trying to break into outbuildings on his property, according to McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Communication Specialist Emily Matusek-Baker.
The caller also reported the suspect may have run into the wooded area.
Deputies arrived and set up a perimeter with the assistance of the Richmond Police Department to begin searching the area.
Matusek-Baker said deputies confirmed the suspect fled on foot and a Walworth County Sheriff’s Office canine team and drone team were called to assist.
The lengthy search, which encompassed wooded areas in the North Branch Conservation Area and businesses to the north, lasted over an hour and a half with no success in finding the offender.
The suspect was believed to be the same person who fled from a traffic stop at the McDonald’s in Richmond the prior night, according to police radio traffic.
No charges have been announced yet and it is unclear whether the suspect has been taken into law enforcement custody.