Crime & Safety
Armed, Dangerous Man Arrested After 2-Day Crime Spree In Lake, Cook
Eric Gatlin was taken into custody Wednesday night. He is accused of stealing cars in Lake County and robbing a Portillo's at gunpoint.
GRAYSLAKE, IL — A 43-year-old man is accused of robbing a Portillo's at gunpoint and stealing a vehicle from a Goodwill parking lot before fleeing police is now in custody.
Authorities in Elgin arrested Eric Gatlin Wednesday night, WGN News is reporting. Prior to his arrest, he attempted to flee in a vehicle, crashed his car and then tried to take off on foot, according to police. Police set up a perimeter and arrested him.
The arrest comes days after Gatlin's crime spree in Lake and Cook counties, authorities said.
Find out what's happening in Grayslakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Earlier in the week, police in Grayslake requested the public's help in providing information about Gatlin's whereabouts. Police said Gatlin, who was considered armed and dangerous, was last spotted driving a Ford Transit van, which he is accused of stealing from a Goodwill parking lot in Round Lake Beach, at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday
About an hour later, he pulled a handgun out while in the drive-thru at a Portillo's in Gurnee and took cash before fleeing the area, according to Gurnee police. No one was injured in the incident.
Find out what's happening in Grayslakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Sunday night, he was reportedly spotted driving a stolen white Lexus RX 350 SUV before crashing it into a tree in the 1400 block of Churchhill Lane in Grayslake and then fleeing, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.
Authorities in Grayslake began their search for Gatlin following the Sunday night incident and local schools in Grayslake, including District 127 and Consolidated Community School District 46, placed schools on a soft lockdown.
On Wednesday, a judge issued a $1 million warrant for his arrest. On Monday, Gatlin was charged with two counts of armed habitual criminal, possession of a stolen firearm and two counts of a felon in possession of a weapon.
Patch has reached out to police from various departments for updates regarding Gatlin's arrest and will update with more information as it becomes available.
MORE ON PATCH: Search Continues For Man Involved In Cook, Lake County Crime Spree, Police Say and $1M Warrant Issued For 'Armed And Dangerous' Man In Grayslake Area Manhunt
This is a developing story. Check back to Patch for more updates.
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