The search began after a residential burglary took place around midnight in Wood Dale, where police captured Nakia Tyler, one of two suspects they said were responsible. The other suspect, Saunders, led police on a car chase to Lombard, where he abandoned his car and got away on foot near Route 53 and St. Charles Road.
Officers from almost 20 law enforcement agencies joined in the hours-long search early Tuesday morning. Multiple K9 units and police helicopter also aided in the effort, but one police chief said the helicopter was taken down because the area was too wooded for it to help.
Investigators scaled down their search at approximately 7 a.m., saying they believed Saunders was no longer in the Lombard area.
"We have done a final ground search with it being daylight. Now, [we are] checking houses, garages, cars, etc.," said Lombard Police Chief Ray Byrne. "We are pretty confident the suspect may have evaded us."
It is not known whether Saunders is armed and dangerous. Residents are urged to go about their normal business, but police advise being cautious as the suspect remains at large.
"We are going door-to-door, looking through sheds or backyards, looking underneath debris," said Lombard Police Deputy Chief Pat Rollins.
The neighborhood were the suspect left his car had returned to normal by 11 a.m.
"Obviously, we are all scared, and we have children sitting in a school across the street," resident Jamie Kashin said.
"[I'm] not at all [concerned], not when we have all these police. The guy must be long gone, I would think," said Paul Wilson, also a Lombard resident.
A warrant has been issued for Sander's arrest and police have released his picture. Authorities say he is an African-American man in his 30s about 6 ft. 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 250 lbs. Police said he was last seen wearing dark clothing.
Authorities say charges are pending against Tyler who was caught.
