Man Flees Police Twice in 1 Night and is Tracked Down by K9 Officer, Arrested for DUI

A 28-year-old Round Lake Park man was arrested near Libertyville on several charges after he fled police on two separate occasions on Saturday.

Michael R. Diaz was taken into custody by Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies after K9 officer Dax tracked him down Saturday night, according to the sheriff’s office press release. Dax and Canine Team Deputy John Forlenza were called to assist at the scene after Diaz reportedly crashed his car into a ditch in the area of Milwaukee Avenue and West Casey Road in unincorporated Libertyville.

Diaz was located a short time later lying in a ditch. He again tried to flee but Dax “successfully aided in taking him into custody,” according to police. Diaz was taken to the hospital for the treatment of a dog bite to the right shoulder and later released.

Deputies learned Diaz also fled Round Lake Police Department officers earlier in the evening after they tried to pull his vehicle over.

Diaz, who is a documented street-gang member, had a revoked driver’s license and was wanted on an active arrest warrant for resisting a previous arrest, according police.

Diaz was transported to the Lake County Jail where sheriff’s deputies charged him with driving with a revoked driver’s license (class 4 felony), driving under the influence of alcohol (class A misdemeanor), leaving the scene of an accident (class A misdemeanor), obstructing a peace officer (class A misdemeanor), resisting arrest (class A misdemeanor), operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and other traffic related charges.
Round Lake Police Officers also issued Diaz a number of traffic-related charges for the earlier incident where he fled from police officers, according to a news release.

Diaz is expected in court on Monday morning for a bond hearing.