Waterloo, Illinois – A suspected head-on threat on Route 3 led to two arrests early Thursday, prompting a multi-agency pursuit through Waterloo.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the incident began around 4:36 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, when a deputy completing a business check observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Illinois Route 3 near Kaskaskia Road.
Authorities said the deputy activated emergency lights to warn oncoming motorists and initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle allegedly swerved back into the proper lane but failed to stop, leading deputies into the City of Waterloo, including residential areas.
During the pursuit, the driver allegedly turned off the vehicle’s headlights and taillights in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Deputies, assisted by the Waterloo Police Department, attempted to deploy tire deflation devices, but the driver avoided them, according to officials.
The vehicle ultimately stopped in a driveway behind a residence in the 400 block of Hillcrest Drive. Both occupants were taken into custody without further incident.
A subsequent vehicle search resulted in the recovery of suspected narcotics and a BB gun designed to resemble a real firearm, authorities said.
The driver was identified as Matthew R. Higgins, 34, of Fenton, Missouri. He was allegedly transported to a hospital after admitting to ingesting a large quantity of suspected narcotics. Higgins faces charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding and possession of methamphetamine. Officials said he also had an active Missouri Department of Corrections warrant related to a parole violation stemming from a prior first-degree assault conviction.
The passenger, Stephen Smith, 48, of Fenton, Missouri, was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Both remain in custody at the Monroe County Jail.
Authorities later learned the vehicle had allegedly fled from the Missouri State Highway Patrol earlier in the overnight hours before entering Illinois.
The case has been forwarded to the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office. All subjects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This incident may be of particular concern to early-morning commuters traveling along Route 3.
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