A 39-year-old man from the Antioch area who has been missing since Saturday ran off into a heavily wooded area Tuesday morning after officers spotted him and tried to talk to him, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Family members reported James Helton missing about 7:30 p.m. Monday from the area of Routes 45 and 173 in unincorporated Antioch. Helton has been missing since Saturday and is believed to be on foot in wooded areas, according to a Tuesday news release from the sheriff, which states that Helton reportedly made suicidal statements.
Sheriff’s deputies spotted Helton in the area of Russell and Frontage roads around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday and attempted to make contact with him, according to the sheriff’s office. He then ran west through a heavily wooded area, authorities said.
Canine units and the AIR-ONE Emergency Response Coalition responded to the scene, police said, but attempts to locate him were unsuccessful.
Helton was last seen wearing black and gray checkered pajama pants and a black tank top, although police said it is possible he changed into a red T-shirt. Helton has tattoos: red lips on his neck, a Michael Jordan Air symbol on his right arm, the name “Jesse James” on his back and the name “Caylee” on his chest. He is described as 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and a full reddish-brown beard with gray hair on his chin, police said.
Police urge anyone who sees Helton to call 911 immediately and not approach him.
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