K-9 Officer Tracks Down Burglar Who Broke Into Camper: Cops

LAKE COUNTY, IL – A K-9 officer in Lake County is being credited with helping to track down an accused burglar after he allegedly broke into a camper and then fled the scene, authorities said. The Lake County Sheriff's Office was called to the reported burglary at 20844 W. Siena Drive in Lake Villa Township at 10:05 p.m. on Thursday. A 911 caller told authorities they saw a man breaking into a camper, which was parked along the side of the residence, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The man fled the scene and a perimeter was established, authorities said. Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy John Forlenza and his K-9 partner, Dax, were called to assist in locating the man. K9 Dax tracked the scent of the burglar for about quarter-mile to an outbuilding in the 20700 block of West Verona Avenue in Lake Villa Township. There he found the man hiding inside of the outbuilding on the property, according to the news release.

Police took the man, Michael Fritz, 44, into custody and took him to the Lake County Jail. He has been charged with count of residential burglary.

Fritz is being held at Lake County Jail and is expected in court Friday.

“This is another example of how important our Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Teams are in keeping Lake County Safe. Deputy Forlenza and Dax did an outstanding job locating another individual fleeing from a crime," sad Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.

Lindenhurst Police Department and Antioch Police Department assisted in establishing the perimeter.