Police Dog Helps Find Person Lost At Night In Forest Preserve: Police

Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Hemi is being credited with helping locate one of two missing individuals in a Lake County forest preserve over the weekend, authorities said.

The Fox Lake Police Department initially responded around 9:15 p.m. Sunday to Gander Mountain Forest Preserve, 43419 W. Wilmot Road in unincorporated Antioch, to search for the missing individuals, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was then called to assist as officers expanded the search through the large preserve. The individuals were believed to be under the influence, according to a sheriff’s office Facebook post, and wind and rain made conditions difficult for search crews.

“As ground teams moved through the trails, K9 Hemi picked up on activity off the path and began tracking into a wooded area,” the sheriff’s office said. “Moments later, deputies observed movement and made contact with one of the missing individuals, who had been wandering in the dark.”

The individual was safely escorted out of the preserve, evaluated on scene, and declined further medical treatment. Authorities later confirmed the second person had already returned home safely.

“Great work by K9 Hemi and all deputies involved in bringing this situation to a safe resolution,” the sheriff’s office said.