Kankakee, IL – Two Chicago men were arrested early Thursday after fleeing a stolen vehicle on Interstate 57 near Kankakee. Deputies from the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone to locate the suspects hiding in a nearby bean field.
The suspects, Johnny McCaskill, 21, and Eric Johnson, 25, were taken into custody. According to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies assisted Illinois State Police at approximately 4 a.m. after the men fled from a traffic stop.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers used a drone with thermal imaging to pinpoint their location. Both men were arrested and face multiple charges, including possession of a stolen motor vehicle worth over $25,000, resisting a peace officer, and controlled substance violations.
Sheriff Mike Downey praised the officers’ swift action, noting that drones are invaluable in locating suspects. “The days of successfully hiding in a field or a tree are largely behind us,” Downey said.
Both McCaskill and Johnson remain in custody pending further investigation.
