(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Lake County Sheriff’s K9 Dax spent New Year’s Eve tracking down 51-year-old Jaime Romero, who escaped police custody after he was arrested over accusations that he strangled and battered his girlfriend.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Romero was arrested in Island Lake in the early morning hours of New Year’s Eve. After his arrest, officials said he was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but as Romero was being moved inside the hospital, he fled on foot. That’s when hospital staff called the authorities, and Dax was en route soon after.
As Dax and Deputy John Forlenza searched the hospital parking lot, a burglar alarm went off at a nearby orthopedic doctor’s office. Dax and Forlenza tracked their way to the office, where Dax found and began barking at Romero, officials said.
The sheriff said Forlenza instructed Romero to surrender. When he refused, the deputy released Dax, who found and then bit Romero in the leg.
“Romero punched K9 Dax, but as is common with K9 Dax, he was not fazed by Romero’s strikes,” wrote Deputy Chief Chris Covelli in a press release.
Romero was taken back into custody and evaluated for the dog bite. Dax was evaluated by a veterinarian and was cleared to return to service.
After Sunday’s events, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of aggravated domestic battery, striking a police animal, resisting arrest and criminal trespass to a building against Romero.
At the time of his first arrest on New Year’s Eve, Romero also had an active arrest warrant from Kane County.
Officials said Romero appeared in court Sunday morning, where he was ordered held pending a detention hearing, which will take place on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram