By Brian Stanley
For the Bugle
Two men were arrested April 23 after allegedly leading police on a dangerous chase through Joliet.
The incident began at 7:33 p.m. when officers spotted a vehicle speeding north on Raynor Avenue near Jefferson Street.
(Treshon L. Holland)
According to reports, police stopped the vehicle near Richmond Street, but once the officers got out of their unit, the driver sped off again. Police pursued the fleeing vehicle through side streets in the Cathedral, Broadway and St. Pats neighborhoods.
The driver committed numerous traffic violations, at one point cutting off a squad car and striking into it. No injuries resulted from the collision and the pursuit continued.
“The vehicle eventually got onto eastbound I-80 from Rockdale,” Sgt. Christopher Botzum said. “While the vehicle was over the I-80 bridge, pursuing officers observed the driver throw a handgun out the window, striking a beam on the bridge.”
Police cars were able to box their quarry in near the Chicago Street exit, but the two men inside had locked the doors and refused to open them. Officers were forced to break the windows and had to pull the driver, Treshon L. Holland, 23, and passenger Herbert K. Bew, 27, from the vehicle to place them in handcuffs, Botzum said.
“Officers backtracked where they saw Holland throw the firearm (and) located a handgun magazine with live rounds in it,” Botzum said. “The firearm itself was not located on the bridge and it appears it possibly fell into the Des Plaines River.”
Police did find cocaine inside the vehicle, according to reports.
Holland, 23, of the 10 South 400 block of Naperville, was arrested on charges of aggravated fleeing from police, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, reckless driving, reckless conduct, obstructing justice, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition and aggravated assault. He was also charged with many traffic violations.
Bew, of Joliet, was charged with resisting arrest and released on bond.
Will County jail records show Holland is being held on 43 different charges, including an unrelated matter filed by Aurora police, and would have to post at least $500,000 bond to be released from custody.