Missing man may be armed

Hawbaker

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Local and state authorities are looking for a missing DeKalb man who may be armed with a shotgun and is considered dangerous. DeKalb Police were contacted mid-afternoon Tuesday about Blake J. Hawbaker, 21, who had reportedly stolen a 12-gauge shotgun from a family member's home, DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said in a phone interview Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office was called around 8:20 p.m. about a sport utility vehicle parked slightly in the road on Shabbona Grove Road near Route 23. The responding deputy noticed the vehicle matched a description given earlier in the day of the vehicle Hawbaker might be driving, according to the sheriff's office. The deputy reportedly heard one gunshot shortly after arriving, Scott said. Hawbaker could not be found inside or near the vehicle, and no injuries were reported in relation to the shot. &#8220Right now we are treating this as he is more of a danger to himself, although we can't be certain as to what is going on inside his head,” Scott said. &#8220People are encouraged to keep an eye out in the area for a suspicious man matching his description, but no attempt should be made to contact or confront him. Just call us instead.” Hawbaker is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, white, weighing about 150 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. Hawbaker had not been found as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. Officers from DeKalb, Hinckley, Somonauk, Waterman and Sandwich police departments assisted with the search. The Illinois State Police also aided in the search, bringing in officers and a search airplane equipped with infrared sensors, Scott said. Patrols have been elevated in the nearby rural area, and residents have been notified about Hawbaker, Scott said. &#8220Schools in Shabbona and Hinckley were notified, but just as a routine precautionary measure,” Scott said. &#8220We have no indicators that say he might try to go to any of the schools.” Anyone with information about Hawbaker is encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office at (815) 895-2155. Benji Feldheim can be reached at bfeldheim@daily-chronicle.com.