Schools locked down after Gurnee home invasion
Three robbers remain at large after an armed home invasion in Gurnee that forced police to lock down four school buildings and the village hall Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
Police said the home on the 4200 block of Lake Park Avenue was targeted for drugs and money by a group of four masked thieves.
Officers responded to a 911 call of shots fired and someone screaming at 8:48 a.m. and found a 16-year-old Waukegan boy inside the garage with a female resident of the home, but three other robbers had fled before police had arrived.
Police searching the home found shell casings and bullet holes from multiple shots fired inside the home. Officers also found large amounts of suspected cocaine and cannabis, a large amount of cash and several firearms, according to the Gurnee Police department.
During the search for suspects, The Gurnee village hall and four nearby school buildings were put on lockdown: O’Plaine Elementary, Warren Township High School-O’Plaine Campus, Viking Junior High School and Gurnee Grade School. Police also sent an automated phone call to homes and businesses nearby informing them of the possibly armed and dangerous suspects in the area and asking them to notify the department of any suspicious subjects.
Police dogs from the Waukegan and Round Lake departments searched the area and tracked the suspects to an area where it is believed the suspects got into a vehicle and fled, according to police.
The lockdowns were lifted after approximately one hour.
Police said the three robbers who remained at large were black males between 17 and 20 years old and were wearing black clothing during the robbery. They were all wearing ski masks — one purple, the other two black.
The boy who was arrested in the garage was taken to the Depke Juvenile Justice Center Wednesday morning on charges of aggravated unlawful restraint, attempted armed robbery, battery and home invasion.
A resident of the home that was invaded, 31-year-old Deshawn Wadley, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver over 900 grams of cocaine, possession of over 900 grams of cocaine, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, according to police.
There was no evidence that anyone was injured during the home invasion, police said.
The Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group is assisting Gurnee police with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Gurnee police at (847) 599-7000 or call Lake County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (847) 662-2222.