Two Illinois suspects accused of stealing a car were chased by police before two other armed homeowners confronted the men, according to the local sheriff’s office. He was arrested at gunpoint until the police arrived.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office said law enforcement was able to locate suspect James Snow, 34, on Jan. 23 after an intense police pursuit ended successfully with the help of two different armed homeowners. The suspect, Tyler Crum (33), was arrested. Crum was released shortly after his arrest under a controversial new Illinois law that eliminated cash bail. This means that judges are not requiring suspects charged with crimes to post bail to get out of jail while awaiting trial. The law does not apply to suspects who may pose a threat to the public.
According to the sheriff’s office, just before 5:30 p.m. last Tuesday, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a Casey’s General Store in Argenta. Officers discovered the vehicle had previously been reported stolen at the Decatur Police Department and confronted two suspects inside the vehicle.
According to the sheriff’s office, Crum, who was driving the vehicle, fled from officers and crashed into a police vehicle with his stolen vehicle as he sped away, according to comments he made to authorities after his arrest. . Officers attempted to pursue the suspect but lost sight of him.
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James Snow, of Illinois, said he had no recollection of stealing the car last week. (Macon County Sheriff’s Office)
Other law enforcement agencies, including the Maroa Police Department, joined in the search for the pair and found the stolen vehicle, which was badly damaged in a farmer’s field. Crum and Snow were not in the car when police found them, and Oleana police, Illinois State Police and Illinois Conservation Police were also involved in the search.
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That’s when two armed homeowners intervened, the sheriff’s office said. The men set off to seek shelter in a local house.
Tyler Crum was arrested after reportedly stealing a car and leading police on a chase. (Macon County Sheriff’s Office)
“The men were outside a nearby residence seeking shelter when they received a report that they encountered the homeowner with a firearm,” the sheriff’s office press release said. One person was arrested and taken into law enforcement custody at this location,” a sheriff’s office press release states. It says it was provided to Fox News Digital.
A second suspect fled the first home but met a similar fate. Another homeowner in the area also pointed a gun at him, and the sheriff’s office praised him for “appropriately utilizing his firearms training and assisting law enforcement.”
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A customer has a Glock 17 pistol that is sold at a gun store.Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The other man had fled to another nearby residence before being encountered by the homeowner. The second suspect was apprehended by the homeowner, who was armed with a firearm. The homeowner effectively pointed a gun at the suspect and immediately called 911. This man was also arrested and taken into custody by law enforcement at a second location. We believe the homeowner acted appropriately. I admire you. Use firearms training to assist law enforcement agencies,” the sheriff’s office said.
According to a police report provided to FOX News Digital, Crum and Snow committed heroin together in a restroom at an Arby’s in Decatur, about 25 miles from Argenta, before being chased and arrested by police. He admitted this to the authorities.
James Snow was arrested last week in Illinois on suspicion of stealing a car and fleeing from police. (Macon County Sheriff’s Office)
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Crum told police that the two had taken heroin and then stole a black Chevrolet Malibu that had been left in the parking lot. According to a police report, the couple intended to drive to Crum’s hometown of Haworth, but got lost and parked in the parking lot of a general store, where Macon sheriff’s deputies first spotted them. That’s what it means.
Crum said Snow, who was in the passenger seat of the car at the time of the incident, said “just go ahead” when he first saw the law enforcement vehicle, and as a result, the police vehicle struck the sheriff’s car before it took off. The vehicle reportedly collided with a farm.
General story of Cayce in Argenta, Illinois. (Google Maps)
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According to the police report, Snow also said he was a passenger in the car in the series of crimes and that he had no recollection of the car crashing into the field or going to homes in the area seeking shelter. He reportedly gave a statement.
Crum was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated fleeing/eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. He was released under Illinois’ controversial pretrial fairness law, which is part of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminates cash bail. He was given a notice to appear in court for charges.
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Snow was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. He remains in police custody on an outstanding parole violation warrant.
