Naval Station Great Lakes 'Gate Runner' Was Base Employee

GREAT LAKES, IL — A driver who "did not follow directions of the gate sentry," prompting a lockdown and several building evacuations Friday morning at the Naval Station Great Lakes, was a base worker who did have authorized access, officials said.

The incident, which happened around 7 am., prompted a lockdown, and all personnel at the naval station were ordered to "take cover in (the) nearest building or structure," according to a Facebook post from the base. They were also told to "run, hide, fight."

Late Friday morning, naval station officials said the driver of the vehicle, a black Toyota Camry, was found to be an employee at the base who does have authorized access but did not follow the gate sentry's instructions.

Several buildings were evacuated and the area and vehicle were being swept by military working dogs Friday morning.

Authorities called the incident a "minor situation involving an unauthorized entry" and said security was responding. The station remained on lockdown, but officials said no one was hurt and no property was damaged.

"In a separate incident, a civilian vehicle caught fire off base," base officials said. "It was unrelated to the gate runner."

This is a developing story. Check back to Patch for more information.