Man Jailed After Escaping Sheriff Squad Car In Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's office said a man who deputies arrested Friday afternoon in unincorporated Lake Villa is back in custody at the Lake County jail after escaping from a squad car. According to a news release from the sheriff's office, 26-year-old Nicholas A. Valentino, (no permanent address), was arrested Friday after police were called to a home in the 37400 block of North Cremona Avenue for a drug investigation. The sheriff's office said that while speaking to Valentino Friday, deputies learned he had two outstanding arrest warrants, and arrested him and put him in the back of a squad car.

Valentino had an active arrest warrant out of Lake County for possession of a stolen vehicle, and an active arrest warrant out of DuPage County for unlawful drug possession, the sheriff's office said.

According to the sheriff's office, the deputies briefly went back to the home to collect evidence, before returning to the squad car and realized Valentino had escaped just after 1:30 p.m.

A search ensued for the man police described as being 6 feet 2 inches tall, 170 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, with a short beard, who was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt, black sweatpants, and gym shoes. The sheriff's office added that Valentino had his hands cuffed behind his back.

According to the sheriff's office, Valentino was taken back into custody just before 9 p.m. Friday in the area of Columbus Avenue and West Isola Avenue in unincorporated Lake Villa. He was found still wearing handcuffs, but he had manipulated them to be in the front of his body. The sheriff's office thanked the community for "the numerous tips received during the search for Valentino, and all of the local police departments for their assistance."

According to the sheriff's office website, Valentino's bond was set at $200,000, and his court date is listed as Feb. 13 in Lake County. The sheriff's office website also lists the offense of escape from a peace officer as an accusation against Valentino.