Stolen Vehicle Crashes in Lee County After Brief Multi-Agency Pursuit; Suspect Flees on Foot

A Lee County Deputy was stationary facing west on Bloody Gulch Road at the intersection with Rock Island Road when they observed an uninvolved vehicle and the suspected stolen vehicle turn east onto Bloody Gulch Road from Rock Island Road.  

The Deputy began following the vehicles and observed the suspect vehicle pass the uninvolved vehicle on Bloody Gulch Road.  The Deputy attempted to pass the uninvolved vehicle, at which time the suspect vehicle increased its speed and appeared to be fleeing. The Deputy did not pursue and did not activate their emergency lights because the suspect vehicle was approaching a known dangerous intersection with Pump Factory Road. The stolen vehicle continued east and disregarded the stop sign at Pump Factory Road.  

A Dixon Police Officer had also responded to the area and was westbound on Bloody Gulch Road, nearing Pump Factory Road.  The Officer observed the suspect vehicle disregard the stop sign and travel through the intersection. The Dixon Officer activated their emergency lights and turned around to follow the vehicle.  The Lee County Deputy then activated his emergency lights to assist the Dixon Police Officer.  The Dixon Officer lost sight of the vehicle before entering into Dixon City Limits and terminated the pursuit.  The Deputy extinguished their emergency lights and pulled into the parking lot of the Fairfield Hotel at Bloody Gulch Road and Fulfs Road.  

A short time later, Lee County Dispatch received a cellular 911 hang-up call plotting on Bloody Gulch Road near the intersection of US Route 52. Officers and Deputies responded to the area located the stolen vehicle had crashed.  The vehicle was unoccupied, and the suspect had fled the scene on foot.  

A search of the area was conducted for the suspect with the assistance of Lee County K-9 Dax and the Dixon City Fire Department’s thermal drone. Officers and Deputies were also assisted at the scene by Troopers with the Illinois State Police.  The suspect was not located in the search of the area.  

If anyone has information on the suspect, please contact Lee County Sheriff’s Department (815) 284-6631, or Rock Falls Police Department (815) 622-1140. Citizens can also contact Ogle/Lee  Crimestoppers at (815) 228-4488 or Whiteside County Crimestoppers (815) 625-7867.