Island Lake, Illinois – An Island Lake resident fled from a hospital after being arrested for aggravated domestic battery, only to be apprehended by the Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax. Jaime C. Romero, 51, was arrested by a local police department earlier and was being treated at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital when he fled on foot. The hospital staff notified the authorities, prompting a response from the sheriff’s office and K9 Dax.
K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza tracked Romero to an orthopedic doctor’s office where they found an open door. Deputy Forlenza announced to Romero to surrender, but when he refused, K9 Dax located him and bit his leg. Despite Romero punching K9 Dax, the K9 was not fazed and Romero was taken into custody, evaluated for the dog bite, and then transported to the Lake County Jail.
Following the incident, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of two Counts of Aggravated Domestic Battery, Striking a Police Animal, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Trespass to a Building. K9 Dax was evaluated and cleared to return to service after being struck during the incident.
Jaime C. Romero appeared in 1st Appearance Court where he was ordered to be held pending a detention hearing on January 2, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. K9 Dax’s success in apprehending the fleeing offender was commended by Sheriff John D. Idleburg.