On June 4, 2023, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a fight in progress at a motel in the 39000 block of North Sheridan Road, Beach Park. When sheriff’s deputies arrived and knocked at the second-floor room where the fight was occurring, Ricardo Perez, a 31-year-old parolee of the 400 block of Hickory Street, Mundelein, jumped out a second-floor window to flee from the scene. Perez was armed with a pistol and fled on foot.
Numerous Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and established a perimeter around the area. Sheriff’s Deputy John Forlenza and Canine Dax arrived at the scene and began a track of Perez. Canine Dax first located Perez’ firearm that had been discarded in bush on the north side of the motel. Canine Dax continued his track to find Perez hiding behind a dumpster in a nearby parking lot. Perez refused to surrender, and Canine Dax took him into custody by biting his arm.
Perez was transported to an area hospital for the dog bite and also a leg injury he sustained when jumping from the second floor window. He was discharged from the hospital and is currently in the Lake County Jail awaiting his initial court hearing.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Here is yet another example of the important role our canine deputies have in keeping our community safe. Nearly every day one of our ten canine teams is out tracking a missing endangered person or violent fleeing felon. Great job to Deputy Forlenza, Canine Dax, and the other members of the Patrol Division in locating this armed man who was trying to flee with an illegally possessed firearm.”
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges for Perez:
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – No FOID Card
Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – No CCL
Resisting Arrest
Sheriff’s deputies are contacting the Illinois Department of Corrections to request a parole violation warrant be issued. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court.