On December 12, 2018, at approximately 11:15PM, Zion Police Department requested the assistance of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Team, for two offenders that fled from a vehicle.  Zion Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 2200 block of Joanna Avenue, Zion.  The vehicle stopped, and two subjects fled.  Zion Police Officers determined the vehicle was stolen and set up a perimeter around the area.

Deputy John Forlenza and Canine Dax responded to the scene.  The Canine Team conducted an immediate track from the stolen vehicle, and tracked to a backyard several homes from where the two fled.  Canine Dax alerted on a vehicle in the backyard and located a juvenile hiding under a blanket in the backseat.  It was determined the juvenile was the driver of the stolen vehicle.  

The other occupant of the vehicle, Juamil L. Gordon, 18, of the 500 block of May Street, Waukegan, was then located by Zion Police Officers and taken into custody.  

The juvenile was transported to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center near Vernon Hills.  Zion Police petitioned to juvenile court on the charges Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding.

Gordon was cited by Zion Police for Criminal Trespass to a Motor Vehicle and Resisting a Peace Officer.  He was released on a Recognizance Bond.

Sheriff Idleburg said, “Another success by one of our Canine Teams..  I couldn’t be prouder of Dax, Duke, Diesel, Boomer, and their Deputy handlers.  Our Canine Teams have a terrific track record of locating fleeing offenders, finding missing people, and locating contraband.”  

Sheriff Idleburg reminds the public the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.