Lake County police dog finds man accused of punching cop

A Lake County sheriff's canine unit is credited with successfully tracking a man who authorities say fled after attacking a Fox River Grove police officer.

Christopher S. Caceres, 38, of the 6700 block of Pheasant Trail in Cary, was charged Tuesday with aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest. Sheriff's police said there also are active arrest warrants for Caceres in McHenry and Lake counties on drug-related charges.

Authorities said a Fox River Grove officer pulled over a vehicle that Caceres was riding in on a traffic violation at 12:08 a.m. Tuesday near Route 14 and Opatrny Drive.

Caceres exited the vehicle and pushed and punched the Fox River Grove cop in the upper body area, sheriff's police Detective Christopher Covelli said. Fox River Grove police requested the Lake County sheriff's police canine unit's help in locating Caceres.

Accompanied by handler Deputy John Forlenza, police dog Dax quickly tracked Caceres' scent and found him on the 100 block of Crescent Road in Fox River Grove, according to authorities. Police said Caceres was arrested without incident.

Police in neighboring Cary and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and established a perimeter in an effort to seize Caceres.

Fox River Grove Police Chief Ron Lukasik issued a statement praising how the law-enforcement agencies worked together on the incident.

“This offender, who exhibited violence toward police officers, was quickly apprehended due to the great teamwork between neighboring police agencies,” Lukasik said.