On Thursday, December 8th, at approximately 8:10 am, a Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputy while on routine patrol in the area of Spring Hill Rd. and Howard Rd, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle, the vehicle fled the area both on and off the road. Deputies lost sight of the vehicle for a few minutes before locating it again on Yager Rd. South of Star Rd. The vehicle again fled from deputies across farm fields before driving into the timber on Perkins Rd. South of Star Rd. The suspect’s vehicle a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee, was located in the timber unoccupied.
A Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, already on scene, immediately began tracking the suspect. The K9 tracked the suspect for approximately a quarter mile through the timber to another tree line. Deputies utilized thermal imaging to check the tree line and observed a heat signature believed to be the suspect. The K9 Unit and multiple law enforcement personnel approached the suspect.
Jacob Austin, age 36, of Davenport, Iowa, was taken into custody without further issues. Austin was transported to the Whiteside County Jail, where he was charged with Burglary and traffic offenses. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the incident by the Illinois State Police, Prophetstown Police Department, Erie Police Department, and Todd’s Towing.
The public is reminded that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
