Suspect eludes capture in Gurnee-area manhunt

A 25-year-old Chicago man suspected of delivering the drugs that killed a Round Lake Park man in May remains on the run after eluding capture by the U.S. marshals office early Wednesday morning.

Jesus Gonzalez, of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force, said agents attempted to arrest Ronnie Nicholson at the Grand Oaks apartment complex at Grand Avenue and Oakwood Drive near Gurnee at 8:30 a.m.

However, Nicholson was able to get free of the complex, run into a partially wooded field near the apartments at Route 45 and Grand Avenue, and elude pursuers.

“We searched the area for about four hours using helicopters and K-9, but he was able to elude capture,” Gonzalez said.

Nicholson was wanted after being charged with drug-induced homicide and delivery of a controlled substance in the May 17 death of Steven M. LaFlamme, 32, of Round Lake Park, said Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko.

Filenko said LaFlamme died minutes after injecting the heroin. The subsequent investigation revealed LaFlamme purchased the heroin from Nicholson only hours before using it, Filenko said.

“We put together the case, sent it to the state's attorney's office, and they approved charges of drug-induced homicide and delivery of controlled substance,” Filenko said.

“We contacted the U.S. marshals office for assistance in apprehending him because they have the resources available to track someone proving to be as elusive as Nicholson is.”

Filenko said Nicholson is on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to obstructing justice and delivery of a controlled substance in 2007.

Gonzales said Nicholson is a black man who stands about 5-feet, 6-inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

In addition to having ties in Lake County, Nicholson has numerous contacts in Kenosha County, Wis., Gonzalez said

Police do not believe Nicholson was armed when he eluded authorities.