By Blake Haas
CLINTON – A 36-year old Wisconsin man remains behind bars in DeWitt County after leading multiple police agencies on a chase throughout DeWitt and Macon county.
Around 9:40 Wednesday morning, Clinton Police responded to a domestic violence report. When officers arrived, a female told officers that she was the victim of a domestic battery at a Clinton hotel in the 1100 block of U.S. Rt. 54 W.
Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday night while officers were talking with the female, they noticed the suspect’s vehicle leaving the hotel parking lot.
“Officers had received information that the suspect was wanted on active warrants, armed, and had left the scene with an infant. The suspect initially stopped but then drove away as Clinton Police attempted to question him regarding the domestic battery investigation.”
Lowers said the suspect then led police on a lengthy chase, where Illinois State Police troopers joined the pursuit on U.S. Rt. 54 S. of Clinton.
Then, police deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle on U.S. Highway 51 near Maroa in Macon county.
“After hitting the spike strips, the suspect continued to drive until eventually stopping at U.S. 51 South of School Road in Macon County,” added the Chief. “Illinois State Police SWAT and crisis negotiators took over, and the suspect refused to leave his vehicle for several hours.”
According to Lowers, negotiators convinced the suspect to release the infant, where he then began to lead police on another chase.
Authorities were then able to disable the vehicle, and the suspect was taken into custody around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Lowers says the suspect, who is remaining nameless until charges are brought forth, allegedly had several weapons inside the car along with body armor.
The infant was returned to its mother, and no injuries were reported.
Police say the suspect also has warrants for his arrest out of LaSalle County.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
