Masked Man Suspected In Attempted Kidnapping Takes Own Life: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Two teen girls were approached by a suspicious man near Cary who fatally shot himself a short time later when a police officer attempted to pull him over, authorities said.

Police were called to the area of Fox River Road and North Harvest Glen Road in unincorporated Cary at about 3:25 p.m. Tuesday after two teens reported they were walking home and were approached by a sedan driven by a 32-year-old Cary man, said Christopher Covelli, deputy chief for the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The sedan pulled in front of them and parked in the direction they were walking.

The man, who was wearing a mask, got out. The teens became scared and ran toward their home. When they got there, they told the father and brother of one of the teens, Covelli said.

"The father and brother drove through the subdivision to see if they could locate the vehicle and potentially obtain a license plate. The two located the vehicle driving in the neighborhood," he said.

The driver ended up blocking the path of the father and brother, and he brandished a gun. The father and brother then called 911.

A deputy from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene and a deputy attempted to pull the sedan over. The driver pulled into a parking lot in the area of Crystal Lake Road and Foxford Drive in unincorporated Cary.

He then took a gun out and shot himself, Covelli said.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office is scheduling an autopsy.

"This is undoubtedly a tragic situation for everyone involved. The teens in this case did the right thing by not engaging with the man and running away, while summoning trusted adults to help them. We are very thankful they are safe," Covelli said.

McHenry County Conservation District Police are investigating the death, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the preceding incident.