Sparta man arrested after County Line Road chase

<p class="p1">It's a case that sounds like the Elwood Blues of Randolph County.

<p class="p1">A 30-year-old Sparta man, Jordan D. Vuichard, is facing two felony charges after allegedly leading police on a chase down County Line Road on Sunday night.

<p class="p1">Vuichard was arrested by Coulterville Police for driving while license revoked, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, criminal damage to state-supported property, aggravated battery of a police officer, reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, expired registration, disobeying a traffic control device, improper lane useage, illegal squealing tires and speeding.

<p class="p1">"He was on a mission, but I don't think it was from God," said Coulterville Police Chief Jason Schlesinger.

<p class="p1">Schlesinger said the chase started around 11 p.m. in Coulterville on a reckless driving complaint regarding a Dodge Dakota.

<p class="p1">"The suspect tried to flee, but only made it a few blocks before entering a ditch," Schlesinger said. "The officer pulled up and put his vehicle in park. The suspect then hit the squad car attempting to escape."

<p class="p1">Schlensinger said the officer did not sustain any injuries in the collision, but the vehicle did receive significant damage.

<p class="p1">"It knocked out the power steering," he said. "From there, it was kind of a slow response as he headed down County Line Road."

<p class="p1">Law enforcement from Perry County (Ill.), Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police and Steeleville picked up the chase, with Steeleville Police Department officers deploying spike strips to stop the vehicle.

<p class="p1">The Dakota, with all four tires flat, came to rest near Lake Camp-A-Lot south of Percy and Vuichard was taken into custody. He was transported to Randolph County Jail, where he posted bond and was released.

<p class="p1">The entire incident lasted a reported nine minutes.

<p class="p1">"Everybody was safe and the suspect is in custody," Schlesinger said Monday. "I'd like to thank Perry County, Steeleville, Randolph County and ISP for their help."

<p class="p1">Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker told the Herald Tribune on Tuesday that Vuichard has been officially charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding a police officer (Class 4) and criminal damage to state-supported property (Class 3 felony) for striking the squad car.

<p class="p1">Class 3 felonies have a punishment range of two to five years in prison, while Class 4 felonies have a one-to-three range.

<p class="p1">"He did receive a citation that was not filed for 104 mph in a 55 mph zone," Walker said.

<p class="p1">Walker noted Vuichard has indicated he will hire private counsel and has a deadline of Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. for his attorney to enter into the case.