CPD arrests Huckstep after pursuit
<span>The Chester Police Department arrested 23-year-old John W. Huckstep on Friday morning after a pursuit through the city's residential areas.</span>
<span>The Randolph County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit also participated in the search.</span>
<span>"(Huckstep) took off from his probation officer at the courthouse," said CPD Chief Ryan Coffey. "We tracked him down from tips from the community."</span>
<span>Reached Saturday for comment, Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker said Huckstep had a court appearance scheduled for Monday and failed to appear, causing a warrant to be issued for his arrest.</span>
<span>"He voluntarily came to the courthouse (on Friday) knowing he missed his court date," Walker said. "He was advised to see his probation officer to take a drug test and he ended up running."</span>
<span>Huckstep was charged with robbery - a Class 2 felony punishable by three of seven years in prison - in December 2015, but the charge was reduced to criminal trespass to a residence knowing the resident was present (a Class 4 felony) after the victim recanted their statement in saying nothing was taken.</span>
<span>"He didn't leave the residence after being told to leave and received probation for the trespass charge," Walker said.</span>
<span>According to online court records, Huckstep has a lengthy criminal history. He was sentenced to 60 days in the Randolph County Jail in May 2015 for resisting a peace officer and was also sentenced to another 60 days - plus two years probation - in December for the criminal trespass charge.</span>
<span>Other listed offenses - which date back to 2011 - include disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, damage to property, consumption of liquor by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery, obstructing a peace officer and various motor vehicle violations.</span>
<span>"He's certainly been in a lot of trouble," Walker said. "It speaks for itself, I can say that."</span>
<span>As for the latest incident, Walker said he would review the CPD's report and make a decision.</span>
<span>"Generally speaking, a probation violation is a possibility," he said. "I will take a look at the report on Monday."</span>