Lake County Gazette

K9 Duke assisted Lake County Sheriff's deputies in apprehending a man suspected of committing an overnight burglary at a tavern in unincorporated Grayslake. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the bar and stealing items.

According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office news release, deputies responded to a burglar alarm at the bar located on the 34200 block of Route 45 in Grayslake. Upon arrival, they found the tavern secure with no visible signs of a break-in. The keyholder was unable to respond, preventing an interior search. At 7 a.m., the keyholder reported a burglary, prompting deputies to return and review surveillance footage. The suspect was seen wearing distinctive clothing. Deputies discovered footprints in the snow leading to a nearby apartment building.

The news release said that deputies knocked on a door within the complex where Brendan M. Wilcox, 37, resided. Wilcox was wanted on an active arrest warrant for burglary and fled through a rear window.

Deputy Dwight Arrowood and K9 Duke arrived at the scene and tracked Wilcox. After more than an hour-long search spanning one mile, K9 Duke located him hiding in a wooded area. When Wilcox refused to surrender or follow instructions, K9 Duke was deployed for assistance, leading to his apprehension after being bitten by the dog. Deputies recovered the distinctive clothing from Wilcox's apartment.

Wilcox was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for treatment of the dog bite before being released into sheriff's office custody. The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved charges including burglary and theft—both class 3 felonies—and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Wilcox remains in custody at Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing.

The news release emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.