Updated at 9:00 a.m. on Friday with the names of the defendants
St. Louis County Police officers on Wednesday initiated a pursuit of a suspect’s vehicle which ended on the Illinois side of the river.
Police officers from the North County Precinct observed a suspect vehicle fleeing the area from a business robbery at Conoco gas station within Moline Acres around 4:00 p.m.
After observing the suspect vehicle near Lewis and Clark Boulevard and Comet Drive, the officers attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit ended quickly when the the suspect’s vehicle became disabled in the area of Enviro Way and Dubois Trial in Wood River, Ill.
On Thursday, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Lee Perry, 36, of the 100 block of 3rd N in Wood River, Ill. for one count of resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony. Perry is now being held on a $50,000 cash only bond.
According to police, defendant Matthew Smith was identified as the gunman who robbed the Conoco gas station at gunpoint. As he exited the business, a St. Louis County officer observed him enter into a vehicle driven by defendant Perry.
At the time he entered the vehicle, Smith was holding the cash register taken from the business. Police pursued the vehicle, which was driven by Perry in a dangerous manner, driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph, driving onto oncoming traffic, and endangering the other motorists.
Police eventually apprehended both defendants after the pursuit. The gun and cash register were located on the passenger side of the vehicle where Smith was arrested.
According to police, a firearm and items stolen in the robbery were recovered and no officers were injured.
The Illinois State Police also assisted in the successful arrest of the suspects.
The investigation remains active, and the story will be updated once more details are available.