On Thursday, October 17th, at approximately 2:50 PM, officers from the Fulton Police Department were positioned at the North Bridge (Hwy 136) to assist the Clinton Police Department in apprehending a wanted subject, Robert J. White, 32, of Clinton, Iowa. White was wanted on multiple warrants and faced new charges related to a theft earlier in the day from Home Depot in Clinton.
The suspect crossed the Hwy 136 Bridge into Fulton, where officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the vehicle failed to comply. Due to heavy traffic in the downtown area, officers discontinued the pursuit and attempted to relocate the vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was found abandoned and unoccupied near 6th St. and 12th Ave. in Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois. All occupants had fled in an unknown direction. A search, assisted by local law enforcement using a drone and K9 units, was conducted but the subjects were not located.
At this time, there is no known threat to the public. Authorities are seeking information on Robert White’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is urged to contact Whiteside County Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867 for tips in Illinois, or Clinton County Crime Stoppers for tips in Iowa at www.clintoncounty-ia.gov/sheriff/crime_stoppers/ . Crime Stoppers offers anonymity and offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of fugitives.
Additional charges are pending, and the public is reminded that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Fulton Police Department received assistance from the Clinton Police Department and its K9 unit, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, the Morrison Police Department, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, and Midwest Collision Towing.
