In a dramatic turn of events, two Illinois suspects, accused of car theft and leading police on a high-speed chase, were apprehended by armed homeowners who held them at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived, according to the Macon County Sheriffs Office.
The suspects, identified as James Snow, 34, and Tyler Crum, 33, were arrested on January 23 following a police pursuit that culminated with the intervention of two armed homeowners. Crum was released shortly after his arrest due to a contentious Illinois law that abolished cash bail, allowing suspects charged with crimes to be released from jail while awaiting trial, unless they pose a significant threat to public safety.
The Macon County Sheriffs Office reported that deputies responded to a call from Caseys General Store in Argenta just before 5:30 pm last Tuesday. The call concerned a suspicious vehicle in the store's parking lot, which was later identified as a car previously reported stolen to the Decatur Police Department. Upon confronting the two suspects in the car, Crum, who was driving, fled the scene, striking a police vehicle in his haste to escape.
Despite the deputies' pursuit, the suspects managed to evade them. The search for the duo was then joined by other law enforcement agencies, including the Maroa Police Department, which discovered the stolen car wrecked in a farmers field. The suspects were not in the car when it was found, prompting the Oreana Police Department, Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Conservation Police to join the manhunt.
The sheriffs office revealed that two armed homeowners intervened at this point. The suspects had sought refuge in a local home, but were confronted by the armed homeowner. "Deputies received a report that the males were outside a nearby residence seeking refuge but were met by the homeowner armed with a firearm. One of the males was apprehended & taken into custody by law enforcement at this location," the sheriffs office press release stated.
The second suspect fled the first home and encountered a similar situation. Another homeowner in the area also held him at gunpoint, earning commendation from the sheriffs office "for properly utilizing firearm training and assisting Law Enforcement."
A police report provided to Fox News Digital revealed that Crum admitted to authorities that he and Snow had used heroin in an Arbys bathroom in Decatur prior to the police chase and arrests. After their drug use, they stole a black Chevy Malibu that was idling in the parking lot and intended to drive to Crum's hometown of Heyworth. However, they got lost and pulled over into the general stores parking lot where the Macon Sheriffs deputies first spotted them.
Crum recounted that Snow, who was in the cars passenger seat during the incident, urged him to "just go dude" when they first saw law enforcement vehicles. This led to them colliding with a sheriffs car before fleeing and crashing into the farm field.
Snow confirmed to police that he was the passenger during the crime spree, but claimed he had no memory of the car crashing in the field or seeking refuge in local homes, according to the police report.
Crum was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated fleeing & eluding, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. He was released under Illinois controversial Pretrial Fairness Act, part of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail. He was given a notice to appear for the charges.
Snow was charged with aggravated fleeing & eluding, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. He remains in police custody due to an outstanding parole violation warrant.
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