Man Who Escaped from Hancock Co Deputies on the Loose

Law enforcement officials in Illinois and Iowa are on the lookout for a man who escaped from sheriff’s deputies Wednesday.

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Bentzinger reports 18 year old Ethan Walte was arrested in Hamilton about 11 p.m. Wednesday on an Iowa warrant on a probation violation for burglary.

Despite being handcuffed, Walte was able to flee the scene in a Hancock County Sheriff’s department vehicle.

Walte crossed the bridge into Iowa and crashed the patrol car in Keokuk, fleeing the scene on foot.

Ethan Walte is a white male, 5-foot-6, 135 pounds and is wanted on numerous criminal charges.

If you have information on the whereabouts of Ethan Walte, you are asked to contact your local law enforcement agency.