Arlington Heights Resident Helps Foil Fugitive's Escape

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL—Michael Neu noticed something was amiss in his garage early Wednesday evening when he kept seeing the trunk lid of his wife's car bobbing up and down.

He had heard the news alerts that there was a manhunt on for an escaped prisoner in Arlington Heights and the surrounding area. Earlier in the afternoon, Jonathan Scott, 24, had slipped his handcuffs and fled a Cook County courthouse in nearby Rolling Meadows.

That's why his first reaction was to head outside and flag down the police officers canvassing his neighborhood, the Daily Herald reports.

Thanks to Neu's awareness and actions, authorities were able to descend on an unarmed Scott, who surrendered to the 20 officers apprehending him.

RELATED: Police Capture Prisoner Who Slipped His Cuffs and Escaped From Courthouse

The Daily Herald's Melissa Silverberg talked to Neu about the experience of discovering a fugitive in his garage and finds out what he was thinking while he was deciding to alert the police.

Scott had been at the courthouse, 2121 Euclid Ave., for a hearing in connection with the violation of an order of protection, and a judge set his bail at $30,000. After his hearing, he was handcuffed to a table, but Scott slipped out of them and left the building.

Scott is currently in custody and will probably face more charges in connection with his failed escape. The circumstances concerning Scott's escape also will be investigated by the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

More via the Daily Herald

PHOTO: Jonathan Scott (Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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