A teenager was left trapped in his car after authorities say he led police on a brief 110 mph pursuit that ended with his car rolling over into a ditch on Route 12 in Wauconda. An officer with the Wauconda Police Department was on routine patrol northbound on Route 12 in Wauconda late in the […]
Sam Borcia
Sam Borcia is the CEO and Publisher of Lake and McHenry County Scanner based in Gurnee, Illinois. His focus is reporting on local news covering crime, government, traffic and more around Lake County, Illinois and McHenry County, Illinois. Sam founded Lake and McHenry County Scanner in January 2012 and has extensive experience covering news. His reporting has garnered coverage by major national and international outlets. He graduated from DePaul University in Chicago. News tips and press inquiries: [email protected].
Posted inLake County
Metra begins several-month-long project that will force suspension of midday service on MD-N line in Lake County
Metra has begun a major project to replace railroad tracks and ties that will force the suspension of midday service for months on the Milwaukee District North Line in parts of Lake County. Metra said it will be replacing nearly 4.5 miles of rail and thousands of railroad ties between Fox Lake and Lake Forest. […]
Posted inLake County
Police arrest 2 suspected gang members armed with guns in North Chicago following shooting in Waukegan
Two suspected gang members, who are both under 21, were arrested after police found them with loaded guns during a traffic stop in North Chicago following a shooting in Waukegan, prosecutors said. The North Chicago Police Department received a report on June 27 that there was a recent shots fired incident in Waukegan and a […]
Posted inLake County
Probation for 2 Romanian nationals who scammed victim out of $15K in Lake Forest, fled police and crashed into squad car
Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to probation after they worked together to steal over $15,000 from a victim at a grocery store in Lake Forest in a jewelry scam and then rammed a police car while fleeing officers. Florin Ghiocel, 21, of Spring Hill, Florida, was charged in April with theft by deception over […]
Posted inLake County
Occupants evacuated from medical office building after car becomes engulfed in flames, explodes in Kildeer
People were evacuated from a medical office building after an SUV became fully engulfed in flames next to the building and a small explosion occurred in Kildeer, fire officials said. The Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department and Kildeer Police Department responded around 4:53 p.m. Tuesday to Northwest Community Healthcare Immediate Care, 21481 North Rand Road […]
Posted inLake County
74-year-old veteran, convicted felon charged with shooting man as he walked out of store in Waukegan
A 74-year-old man, who is a veteran and convicted felon, was arrested after officials say he opened fire on a man, leaving him seriously injured, as the victim walked out of a store in Waukegan in broad daylight. The Waukegan Police Department responded around 12:15 p.m. on July 20, 2025, to Waukegan Market, 624 Grand […]
Posted inLake County
Child transported to hospital after near-drowning at Six Flags Great America Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee
A child was expected to survive but was transported to the hospital after a near-drowning while at Six Flags Great America Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee, authorities said. The Gurnee Fire Department responded around 4:35 p.m. Sunday to Six Flags Great America Hurricane Harbor, 1 Great America Parkway in Gurnee, for a report of a drowning. […]
Posted inLake County
‘Unimaginable loss’: Celebration of life held for 14-year-old boy who died in electric bike crash near Wauconda High School
A celebration of life was held Saturday for a 14-year-old boy who died in a crash with an SUV while riding an e-moto in front of Wauconda High School, as his family says their hearts are shattered. Tyler Waldal, 14, of Wauconda, died on July 21 following a vehicle crash that occurred around 10 p.m. […]
Posted inLake County
Prosecutors say suspect made admission in murder of missing Mundelein man who was dismembered, had remains disposed
Prosecutors say one of two suspects made admissions after they beat a missing man to death near Mundelein and then purchased acid, saw blades, bleach and other cleaning supplies, before dismembering his body and disposing of it. Dmitry Bogatiryov, 52, of Mundelein, and Damen Voranoff, 56, of Mundelein, are each charged with first-degree murder, a […]