Florida fugitive wanted for kidnapping arrested at hotel in Vernon Hills

Authorities say a fugitive from Florida was arrested Jan. 2, 2020, at a hotel in the 400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, where Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is located. | Google Maps

A kidnapping and robbery suspect from Florida was arrested Thursday in north suburban Vernon Hills.

Willie A. Johnson, III, 25, was taken into custody at a hotel in the 400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, the Lake County sheriff’s office said in a statement. Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is located in that block.

Willie A. Johnson, III

Johnson, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, was wanted on felony charges of armed kidnapping and robbery with a firearm in Broward County, Florida, the sheriff’s office said.

U.S. Marshals learned on Jan. 1 that Johnson was staying at a hotel in Vernon Hills, the sheriff’s office said. Lake County sheriff’s deputies entered his room on Thursday and arrested him without incident.

He was taken to the Lake County Jail, where he will be held pending extradition to Broward County, the sheriff’s office said.