Police Hunt For Man Who Prompted Geneva Hospital Lockdown

Justin B. Patzer threatened a visitor at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva on Tuesday morning, police and a hospital spokesman said

Police were searching Tuesday for a man they say walked into a hospital in Chicago's western suburbs and threatened a visitor with a weapon.

Justin B. Patzer threatened someone with "a non-firearm type weapon" at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, police said. Extra security measures were put in place afterward, the hospital said.

Patzer, of Campton Hills, left the facility before 10 a.m. in a red 2004 Dodge Caravan with license plate P769405. The minivan has damage to the front passenger side, police said.

Authorities believe Patzer is armed with a knife and is to be considered dangerous.

He was described as standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing about 250 pounds. He has closely-shaved brown hair and blue eyes — both of them blacked, apparently from a recent fight, police said. He was wearing a gray or green shirt with blue jeans.

Patzer is wanted on warrants for disorderly conduct, battery, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an accident, all of which are related to Tuesday's incident at the hospital, police said.

The hard lockdown at Delnor Community Hospital, at 300 Randall Road, was lifted shortly after 11 a.m., but city officials said lockdowns at Williamsburg and Heartland elementary schools would remain in place until police finished their investigation.

There were no injuries to employees or patients, hospital spokesman Chris King said, adding that he didn't know if Patzer knew the person he threatened.

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