PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Police say their latest special detail that’s a part of the chief’s Anti-Violence Initiative took at least one so-called “ghost gun” off the streets.
Police say among 16 arrests made Thursday, state troopers pulled over a vehicle near Martin Luther King Drive and Sterling, and as a passenger fled the vehicle, a gun with an extended magazine but without a serial number was found.
A 17-year-old suspect was later located and arrested on a weapons charge, while the female driver was arrested for obstructing police. Both are behind bars.
That was one of five guns seized during the detail, along with drugs and what was called a “substantial” amount of cash.
In one of the incidents, three people were arrested near Gale and Bourland when the vehicle they were in initially didn’t pull over for police, and later they fled on foot. But a state police helicopter followed them. Officers later discovered some guns that were tossed.
Police say the case remains under investigation, and federal charges could be filed against 28-year-olds Auston Wood and Jacobi Turner-Claudin, along with 22-year-old Romon Douglas-Watkins.
In addition, a Peoria man is behind bars after allegedly firing shots near Manual High School.
Police say 29-year-old Jerrell Hardges was arrested on a number of felony weapons charges and Resisting Arrest.
Officers heard shots fired and then heard a ShotSpotter alert come from West Ann Street. Hardges allegedly fled on foot from police but was later caught with a loaded handgun.
Among other details of the initiative:
- Daires Randle, 28, was arrested on charges of Fleeing and Possession of Cannabis, after he allegedly led police on a slow-speed chase, and had cannabis in his possession.
- Ivan Ellis, 28, was arrested without incident on gun and drug charges, after police knew him to be wanted.
- One adult and two juveniles, none identified, were arrested following what was called a “large crowd of people actively fighting” in the 800 block of West Thrush. One juvenile was taken to the hospital after being knocked unconscious during the fight.
Echevarria, in a statement, thanks State Police for help, as a helicopter and their SWAT team were used during the detail.
“I would like to thank all of the Peoria Police Officers as well as the Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Air Operations, and Illinois State Police SWAT for their participation in [Thursday’s] Detailed Patrol, As I stated early, I will use every available law enforcement tool to combat the violence in this city, and we intend to continue to do so until it stops. We will also continue to find new and creative ways such as our Walk and Talks to continue to build positive relationships with our community. We need the communities help in continuing to eradicate violence in our community.” — Chief Eric Echevarria
Officers were also conducting a “Walk and Talk” while the directed patrol was taking place.
