06/03/2024
K9 Dax Injured During Apprehension
Lake County Sheriff’s K9 Dax was injured during an apprehension of a fleeing felon this weekend.
On March 3, 2024, at approximately 11:55 p.m. Pleasant Prairie Police Officers were pursuing a stolen vehicle. The driver of the vehicle at one point struck a Pleasant Prairie Squad Car. After striking the squad, the driver crashed the stolen car in the 41000 block of North Green Bay Road, unincorporated Zion.
The driver then fled on foot. Sheriff’s K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza were requested to track the fleeing suspect, as it was believed he was hiding in a wooded area. The duo arrived at the scene and Deputy Forlenza gave announcements warning the offender to surrender, and K9 Dax began barking to further warn the offender. The offender refused to surrender or make himself known and after a brief track, K9 Dax located the offender hiding in the woods. K9 Dax bit the offender in the torso area, and he subsequently surrendered.
The offender, later identified as a 16-year-old juvenile of Zion, was apprehended, transported to an area hospital for the bite and treated. Charges are pending in Illinois and Wisconsin.
During the apprehension, K9 Dax sustained an injury resulting in him not being able to bear weight on his hind legs. K9 Dax is currently under the care of a veterinarian.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “We are extremely hopeful Dax’s injury is not serious. Please send positive thoughts to Dax and Deputy Forlenza, as the extent of the injury is determined. We are all wishing Dax a speedy recovery.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.