A man wanted by federal immigration authorities on a warrant fled from conservation officers and jumped into the Fox River in Algonquin in an unsuccessful attempt to elude them.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) said conservation police officers were conducting enforcement operations around the Algonquin Dam on Tuesday afternoon.
Officers made contact with an individual who was fishing without a valid fishing license.
It was discovered that the individual had an active warrant during the investigation, the spokesperson said.
Police radio traffic indicated the man provided identification and a records check showed he had a failure to appear administrative warrant in an immigration violation case.
The suspect fled from the conservation police officers during the stop. The Algonquin Police Department and other state officers responded to assist.
He “voluntarily” jumped into the Fox River while attempting to evade the officers, the IDNR spokesperson said.
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District was dispatched to the area of the 100 block of La Fox River Drive around 3:40 p.m. for a water rescue response, according to Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Chief John Knebl.
The subject made it across the river and got out of the water where he continued fleeing.
Knebl said crews were informed that the individual being pursued by law enforcement was out of the water so the fire department canceled their response.
Officers eventually took him into custody a short time later behind a residence in the area of Summit Street and Ridge Street.
An ambulance was called to the scene to evaluate him. The IDNR spokesperson said officers then transported him to the McHenry County Jail.
His identity has not been released and it is unclear if local charges were filed or whether he remains in custody.