Crystal Lake man caught after 12 hours on the run

A McHenry man who was captured more than 12 hours after breaking free from the back of a squad car while handcuffed Wednesday has a history of burglary and theft, including breaking into several churches, according to authorities.

James R. Henson, 44, was handcuffed in the back of a McHenry County sheriff's vehicle after being arrested in Crystal Lake on a burglary complaint when he kicked out the back driver's-side window, said McHenry County undersheriff Andrew Zinke.

The deputy driving the vehicle slowed down, and when she stopped, Henson escaped through the window and into a heavily wooded area near Hillside and Walkup roads, police said.

A futile search of the area forced the McHenry County Sheriff's Office to send an automated message to residents in the area alerting them of the escapee and advising them to stay indoors until further notice.

After a night of searching the woods, police received a burglary in progress call at the ComEd facility, 400 Knaack Blvd., at 7:32 a.m. Thursday.

Henson fled the building and remained on the run again for about an hour, police said. About 8:30 a.m., officers spotted him in the woods north of Knaack Boulevard, and chased him down, according to police.

Zinke said when authorities found Henson, he had somehow removed the handcuffs.

“I've known him for at least 20 years; he's a prolific burglar and thief,” Zinke said. “Years ago he broke into several churches in the area. He's broken into schools, homes, stolen cars.”

Henson, of the 5000 block of West Bromley Drive, was charged with escape, burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal damage to property and criminal damage to government-supported property, according to authorities.