Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois on lockdown after vehicle crashes through gate at base
A GREAT Lakes Naval Station in Illinois is on lockdown after a vehicle crashed through gate at base down this morning.
The naval base located in shared a disturbing message on Facebook about a reported "gate runner" shortly after 7 am.
It read: "LOCKDOWN FOR NAVSTA GREAT LAKES[.] RUN, HIDE, FIGHT! ALL PERSONNEL, LOCKDOWN.
"TAKE COVER IN NEAREST BUILDING OR STRUCTURE. AWAIT INSTRUCTION. ALL GATES ARE CLOSED.
"We are looking for a gate runner," the statement read.
Another post from the station indicated the base was still on lockdown as of 9.50 am with no reported injuries or property damage.
RUN, HIDE, FIGHT! ALL PERSONNEL, LOCKDOWN.
Naval Station Great Lakes
The station was supposed to hold a graduation ceremony at 9am which has since been pushed forward to 10am as a result of the incident.
There is no known threat outside of the base according to Lake County Sheriff's Office but the situation is being monitored.
Reports indicate someone drove through the entry control area without showing any documentation but continued going through.
Local authorities in the area are reportedly still looking for the "gate runner" in question.
The base confirmed the driver - who didn't follow orders from the gate sentry - was found shortly after 9. 30 am.
"The driver is an employee on the base with authorized access," read their statement to The Sun.
"The vehicle and surrounding area are being swept by military working dogs and several buildings have been evacuated."
A civilian vehicle caught fire near the base but a spokesperson confirmed it was unrelated to the gate runner.
The station located north of Lake Michigan is the Navy's largest training base.
Elsewhere, the nearby Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center were taking similar security measures today.
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Their Facebook alert read: "All, please be aware, our gates are closed with the exception of the Green Bay entrance, incoming traffic only.
"We will conduct 100 percent ID checks for anyone entering that gate."
The health center confirmed their increased security measures were in response to the threat at NSGL earlier this morning.
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