Lockdowns lifted after man attending court hearing learns of active warrant, flees out of courtroom in Waukegan

Lockdowns have been lifted after a man attending a court hearing found out he was wanted and fled from police on foot in Waukegan Thursday morning.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that a 36-year-old man went to the Lake County Courthouse Thursday morning.

The man was at the courthouse for a hearing in an order of protection case.

He learned he had an active warrant out of Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and abruptly left the courtroom, Covelli said.

Covelli said the warrant is sealed, meaning a judge in Kenosha County has prohibited any information to be publicized regarding the case.

Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the man but he continued fleeing.

He was chased about a block away and officers lost sight of him.

A large perimeter was established about a block from the courthouse and the area was searched, Covelli said.

The College of Lake County sent a message at the time of the incident saying their Lakeshore Campus located in Waukegan was placed on lockdown due to “dangerous conditions.”

“Police are on scene and managing the situation,” the message said.

The school asked students and staff to stay inside locked buildings and wait for the all-clear, which was given around 11:40 a.m.

North Chicago School District 187 said in a message that Evelyn Alexander School was also placed on soft lockdown.

The suspect was ultimately not located. There is no threat to the community, Covelli said.

Kenosha County law enforcement officials have been briefed on the situation.

The man is described as being an African American, 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He has tattoos on his arms and face. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.