Crystal Lake escapee captured

A handcuffed burglary suspect that escaped from a McHenry County sheriff's vehicle in Crystal Lake Wednesday night has been captured, authorities said.

McHenry County Sheriff officials said in a news release this morning that James R. Henson was taken into custody at about 8:30 a.m. by members of the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Henson was arrested near the area of the McHenry County Conservation District Prairie Trail bike path, officials said, and the Sheriff's Office also received assistance from the McHenry County Conservation District.

Officials said, at approximately 5:54 p.m. Wednesday, McHenry County Sheriff's deputies responded to a trespassing complaint in the 4000 block of Terra Cotta Road in Crystal Lake.

The property owner contacted the sheriff's office claiming a person may be illegally occupying their barn.

Henson was inside the barn when officers inspected the area, and he was arrested and charged with criminal trespass to real property, burglary, possession of burglary tools and criminal damage to property.

However, Henson escaped from a sheriff's office squad at 7:39 p.m. by kicking out the rear passenger window in the neighborhood of Hillside and Walkup roads in Crystal Lake.

Hanson was not immediately located during a thorough search of the area, officials said.

The McHenry County emergency messaging system sent an automated voice message to residents in the area alerting them of the escapee at 8:13 p.m. and advising them to stay indoors.

Crystal Lake resident Camille Eiseman received the message and locked her windows and doors while she and her husband listened to a police scanner on their computer.

“They said we were to stay indoors and lock all doors and windows until further notified,” Eiseman said Wednesday night. “We are going to stay low in the house tonight.”