Battery suspect man flees hospital, captured by sheriff’s dog

An Island Lake man accused of beating and strangling a woman escaped custody while being taken into a hospital early Sunday but later was captured by Lake County Sheriff’s police dog Dax, authorities said.

Jaime C. Romero, 51, of the 800 block of North Constitution Avenue, is charged with two counts of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of striking a police animal, resisting arrest and criminal trespass to a building, sheriff’s police said.

According to the sheriff’s office, Romero escaped on foot as he was being taken into Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington for treatment early Sunday, after his initial arrest.

Dax and partner Deputy John Forlenz were called to assist at about 5:20 a.m., officials said.

Sheriff’s telecommunicators then received a call for a burglar alarm at an orthopedic doctor’s office near the hospital. Dax and Forlenz followed the trail to the doctor’s office and found an open door.

Forlenza called on Romero to surrender or Dax would be unleashed. When Romero refused, sheriff’s police said, Dax was released, located Romero in the doctor’s office and bit his leg., officials said.

Romero punched Dax, who was evaluated by a veterinarian and cleared to return to service, according to the sheriff’s office.

Romero appeared in court Sunday and was ordered held in custody pending a second court appearance Tuesday.