Search for wanted fugitive ends in Plainfield, investigation ongoing

Authorities are continuing to search for a wanted fugitive suspected of stealing a car at gunpoint Wednesday in southwest suburban Plainfield. He was also spotted in the suburb Tuesday, causing a soft-lockdown of a high school.

Lowell “Max” Ambler, 46, has active arrest warrants in Lee and LaSalle counties for violating his bond and for violating an order of protection, according to Plainfield police. He was considered armed and dangerous.

At 8:24 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a carjacking on 119th Street west of Van Dyke Road, according to Plainfield police. The victim was at a relative’s home when a man matching Ambler’s description requested a ride, took out a handgun and demanded his vehicle.

The victim turned over his burgundy 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe and the carjacker immediately drove off, police said. The Hyundai was found later in the day in LaSalle County.

The search for Ambler began about noon Tuesday when police received an alert from Illinois State police that he was believed to be headed to a northwest portion of Plainfield in a stolen tractor-trailer, Plainfield police said. The tractor-trailer was later found on Normantown Road near 119th Street.

The search for Ambler prompted a soft lockdown at Plainfield North High School, police said. It was called off about six hours later when investigators got new information that he was no longer in the area.

Naperville police joined in the search on Wednesday, warning residents in a Facebook post that Ambler was believed to be armed and driving the stolen Hyundai.

Anyone who sees Ambler is asked to call 911, police said. He was described as a white man, about 6-foot, 180-200 pounds with blue eyes, brown hair and a goatee.

Those with information regarding the case can also contact Plainfield police at (815) 436-2341, or the Lee County sheriff’s department (815) 284-5217.