Morris, IL – A Chicago man with multiple outstanding warrants was taken into custody Wednesday night after allegedly leading officers on a multi-agency chase that began on Interstate 80 and ended on Route 47 west of Yorkville, according to Morris Police.
According to the department, the incident began around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when officers were notified that a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on I-80 near the 105-mile marker. The driver of the stolen vehicle had allegedly abandoned a separate vehicle after Ottawa Police attempted a traffic stop, fleeing on foot and stealing the second vehicle.
Shortly after the alert, Morris Police located the stolen car at the Amoco station on Hampton Drive, where the suspect allegedly attempted to buy fuel using a stolen credit card. When officers approached, the vehicle accelerated from the scene at a high rate of speed, nearly striking an officer, police said. The driver then allegedly fled north on Route 47.
Morris Police, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, and officers from Kendall County joined the pursuit as the vehicle continued toward Yorkville. Stop sticks were eventually deployed, bringing the chase to an end west of Route 47 on Route 34, authorities said.
Police identified the driver as 34-year-old Keaon Johnson of Chicago. Officers reported finding a glass smoking pipe and brass knuckles inside the vehicle.
Johnson was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated use of a weapon, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, speeding more than 35 mph over the limit, two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended, and unlawful use of a credit card.
Police also said Johnson had seven active warrants from Macon and Champaign counties. He was transported to the Grundy County Jail.
