Collinsville, Ill. – Illinois State Police announce the arrest of a Peoria man during a traffic stop in St. Clair County.
Juan Martin Mercado, 30, was wanted for questioning for alleged predatory criminal sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl. Authorities also say Mercado is a suspect in a parental abduction of a five-year-old girl.
State Police say they received a call from the Peoria Police Department for help in locating a GMC Yukon that was reportedly being driven by Mercado. A District 11 state trooper spotted a vehicle matching the description around 3:02 p.m. Saturday and, while conducting the traffic stop. Mercado was arrested without incident.
Custody of Mercado was transferred to the Peoria Police Department. Mercado has since been booked in the Peoria County Jail on a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim aged 13-17.
The girl was in the process of being reunited with loved ones.
Peoria police are continuing their investigation. No specific charges against Mercado have been released.
“It is great to see cooperation and communication between law enforcement agencies,” State Police District 11 Commander Captain Casey Faro said in a news release. “That and the vigilance of the Trooper lead to the safe and successful resolution.”
