A dramatic pursuit concluded this morning in Galesburg as the Henry County Sheriff’s Office successfully recovered a stolen maroon Dodge Challenger from Moline. The vehicle was initially reported stolen on February 16, 2025, around 8:45 AM. A deputy spotted the car in rural Orion and initiated a pursuit after the driver ignored a stop. The chase tracked through Henry and Knox counties, finally ending in Galesburg after stop sticks were successfully deployed. The car became disabled in the 1800 block of N. Henderson Street, and two suspects, Kenneth R. Stropes, 42, and Austin D. Meyer, 28, were apprehended. Charges include possession of a stolen vehicle and other traffic violations.
The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Stropes of Geneseo, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, failure to signal, and speeding. The passenger in the vehicle, Austin Meyer of Moline, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
“The Henry County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Galesburg Police Department for their efforts and assistance with this incident.”
