The McHenry County Sheriff's Department list of press releases as of Oct. 30, 2011.

I had stopped looking at the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department’s press release page.

That’s because I always read them in the Northwest and Daily Heralds before they were posted for public consumption.

And, the press releases could not be copied and pasted.

Not much evidence there of an interest in transparency.

The Sheriff’s Department refuses to put me on its media list, so, I figure why bother to publish outdated information, especially if I was going to have to re-type the release.  Not worth the time.

Recently, however, I notice that the releases now can be copied.

Not as transparent as being on the Sheriff’s press release email list, but an improvement.

Maybe new Undersheriff Andy Zinke is making some positive changes.

So, now that I can copy and paste, I’ll do so for the last two releases. Those are the ones on the handcuffed escape of a man who may have just been seeking shelter from the rain in a barn near the eastern end of Hillside Road, northeast of Crystal Lake.

Here’s what the Sheriff’s Department had to say in its first press release on the subject, issued the day after the escaped prisoner was lurking around Crystal Lake, resulting in a call from the Grade School about children being kept inside all day:

Prisoner Escapes from Back of Squad

October 20, 2011

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced that at approximately 5:54 P.M. on October 19, 2011, Sheriff’s deputies from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a trespassing complaint in the 4000 block of Terra Cotta Road, Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The property owner contacted the Sheriff’s Office with a complaint that person(s) may be illegally occupying their barn. An investigation revealed that James R. Henson was inside the barn without legal justification. Henson was arrested for criminal trespass to real property, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and criminal damage to property.

At approximately 7:39 P.M. Henson escaped from a Sheriff’s Office squad by kicking out the rear passenger window. This occurred in the area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road, Crystal Lake. A thorough search was performed in the immediate area, but Henson was not located.

On October 20, 2011 at approximately 8:30 A.M. Henson was taken into custody 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.

The Sheriff’s Office also received assistance from the McHenry County Conservation District.

Additional details into this investigation will be forthcoming.

Keith Nygren, Sheriff

ARRESTED:
James R. Henson (M/W 44 yoa)
5010 W. Bromley Drive
McHenry, IL 60050
CHARGES: (from October 19, 2011)
Burglary Class 2 Felony
Possession of Burglary Tools Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Property Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property Class 3 Felony
Escape Class 2 Felony

The Sheriff’s Office advises the media that the charges against the individual(s) are merely allegations against them. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Here’s the second press release:

Additional Information: Prisoner Captured after Escape from Back of Squad

October 20, 2011

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced that on October 20, 2011 at approximately 8:30 A.M.

James R. Henson was taken into custody after escaping from the back of a Sheriff’s Office squad after he kicked out the rear window.

Henson was arrested for criminal trespass to real property, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and criminal damage to property after an investigation revealed that he had been in a barn in the 4000 block of Terra Cotta Road without legal justification.

Henson escaped in the area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road in Crystal Lake and was apprehended in a wooded area north of Knaack Boulevard near the McHenry County Conservation Prairie Trail.

A search for Henson continued through the night using additional resources including a K9 unit and ATV’s from McHenry County Conservation District.

No injuries occurred throughout the incident. Henson, who is known as a career criminal, was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.

After Henson escaped, residents in the immediate area of Hillside Road and Walkup Road in Crystal Lake were notified to be on the lookout through a phone message to their residential phones.

The Sheriff’s Office does not have any further charges for Henson forthcoming.

The Crystal Lake Police Department is investigating an incident where Henson is a suspect.

Sheriff Nygren attributes the success of Henson’s arrest to the joint effort between police agencies and the community. Sheriff Nygren appreciates the community’s efforts and for continuing to update police with suspicious activity updates.

Henson is currently in the custody of the McHenry County Correctional Facility.

As a result of this incident, the Sheriff’s Office plans to evaluate squad car security and procedures.

Keith Nygren, Sheriff

ARRESTED:
James R. Henson (M/W 44 yoa)
5010 W. Bromley Drive
McHenry, IL 600
CHARGES: (McHenry County Sheriff’s Office)
Burglary Class 2 Felony
Possession of Burglary Tools Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Property Class 4 Felony
Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property Class 3 Felony
Escape Class 2 Felony

The Sheriff’s Office advises the media that the charges against the individual(s) are merely allegations against them. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.