Footprints In Snow Lead Police To Burglar's Home: Authorities

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Police said a burglar failed to cover up his tracks when he fled in the snow, leading police straight to his apartment.

Brendan M. Wilcox, 37, of the 34000 block of Route 45 in unincorporated Grayslake, is accused of breaking into and stealing from a tavern in the 34200 block of Route 45 in unincorporated Grayslake at about 3:45 a.m. on Feb. 14, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities responded to a burglar alarm at the tavern and found no signs of a burglary at the time. Later that morning, the "keyholder" of the tavern called police to report video surveillance showed a man entering the bar and stealing items, according to a news release.

Christopher Covelli, deputy chief with the sheriff's office, said he stole cash and alcohol.

Police said the man was wearing very distinctive clothing, and deputies located footprints in the snow, which they followed to an apartment building nearby. They knocked on the door of the person who lived at the apartment, who was later identified as Wilcox. Wilcox, who has an active arrest warrant for burglary, fled out of a rear window, police said.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dwight Arrowood and his K9 partner, Duke, arrived at the scene and tracked for more than one mile, and for more than an hour, to a wooded area where Wilcox was hiding, police said.

Wilcox refused to surrender, and Duke assisted in his apprehension, biting him, police said.

Deputies recovered the distinctive clothing worn by Wilcox during the burglary inside his apartment, according to the news release.

Wilcox was transported to an area hospital for treatment for the dog bite. He was treated and released back into the custody of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.