Regional Police Report: Kayaker Saved From Swollen River and More

Des Plaines

Man Rescued from Des Plaines River After Kayak Capsizes

Des Plaines firefighters rescued a man from the Des Plaines River after the kayak he was paddling capsized on Friday, according to a report from Fire Chief Alan Wax. A witness reported the man in the river shortly after 11 a.m. on April 19, Wax stated, and he was found clinging to a tree trunk in the river. The man was not injured, Wax stated.

“It was our understanding that he was previously helping folks with his boat prior to traveling toward the main river via Campground Road,” Wax stated.

It was not a good idea for anyone to enter the Des Plaines River, Wax stated.

“The safety lesson is that the river’s current is extremely fast and dangerous,” Wax stated.

The fire department was busy during the storm and responded to a few accidents, but none were fatal or serious, Wax stated. Several people were rescued from cars with no reported injuries, Wax stated, and firefighters rescued people from 60 Des Plaines dwellings.

Lake in the Hills

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of two Lake in the Hills men accused of selling heroin and crack cocaine.

William Harris, 33, and Michael Thomas, 32, both of 104 Quail Run, were arrested Wednesday by a joint team of law enforcement investigators and police, according to McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

During a search of Harris and Thomas' residence, deputies seized about 3 grams of crack cocaine, 24 grams cannabis, 9 grams heroin, two digital scales, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, a 2004 Chevrolet Impala and $1,400 in cash, a press release stated.

Evanston

Retired City Worker Dies After House Fire

Fred Davis, 65, died after a fire broke out at his home at 1937 Hartrey Ave. in Evanston Wednesday night, according to Division Chief Dwight Hohl.

Davis was a retired city sanitation worker, according to neighbor Kelly Young. He also volunteered for years delivering food from the pantry at nearby Friendship Baptist Church to several food pantries in the area, Young said.

"He was a nice person," she said. "He'd help you if he could."

Lake Villa

Lake County Man Tries to Abduct Four Girls

A Lake Villa man is in jail on $1 million bond after he was arrested Wednesday by the Lake County Sheriff's Department for attempting to abduct four little girls in Beach Park.

Henry Wright, 29, of the 25000 block of Arcade Dr. in Lake Villa, is charged with four counts of Attempted Aggravated Kidnapping and four counts of Child Abduction.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department reported that Wright attempted to abduct the four girls, ranging in age from 4 to 8, at about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the 39100 block of Welsh Lane in Beach Park.

Wright reportedly approached the girls while driving a black 2010 Toyota Camry and asked them if they wanted a ride. The children told him no then ran from him. Wright then gave chase, according to a sheriff's press release.

The girls were able to run away unharmed.

Crystal Lake

Man in Dirt Bike Accident Dies

The Crystal Lake man involved in a dirt bike accident, Kyle R. Pratt, 23, of 995 Whitehall Way, passed away Saturday, April 20.

Read the obituary for Kyle R. Pratt here.

Pratt was injured on Saturday, April 13, while riding a 2002 Suzuki RM Motocross at about 5:21 p.m. near Nunda Trail and Terra Cotta Road just outside the Crystal Lake city limits.

According to police reports, Pratt was riding the dirt bike on ComEd property under the high voltage power lines. He lost control of the bike for unknown reasons and was ejected.