CHESTER – Randolph County Sheriff Jarrod Peters has announced the arrest of a Collinsville, Illinois resident in connection to a vehicle pursuit in Randolph County.
On Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen vehicle entering Randolph County on Baldwin Road. Randolph County Deputies quickly located and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. As Deputies attempted to contact the driver, the vehicle sped away from the stop.
During the stop, deputies learned that the vehicle was occupied by a male driver and had a female and male occupant in the backseat.
As deputies followed the stolen vehicle, both passengers began waving their hands outside of the vehicle in what was believed to be a sign that they were not willing participants in the ongoing criminal acts.
Administration with Randolph County Sheriff’s Office felt the passengers in the vehicle could be being held against their will and authorized the pursuit to continue.
After fleeing from law enforcement for 25 minutes, the vehicle stopped, and all occupants were taken into custody.
The driver was identified as 24-year-old Junyous Dmar Jones of Collinsville, Illinois.
Jones and one of the passengers were transported to Sparta Community Hospital for possible minor injuries and were treated and released.
During the investigation that followed the apprehension of the vehicle, it was determined that that vehicle had been stolen from Sparta, Illinois, on October 17th, 2023. Both passengers had not been taken against their will, but were eventually released from custody without criminal charges.
Junyous Dmar Jones was held at Randolph County Jail on charges of theft over $500, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and numerous traffic violations. He was released under the Pre-Trial Release Act with a notice to appear in court.
Sheriff Peters is urging anyone with information concerning this case or any related case to contact his office at 618-826-5484 to speak with telecommunications or call the Randolph County Tipline at 618-826-2712.
The sheriff said, “I would like to thank the members of Sparta, Coulterville, and Marissa Police Departments involved in this incident for their safe and quick response in bringing a potentially dangerous situation to an end without further injuries.”
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.