Man arrested after 5-hour manhunt in Williamson County
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man after a five hour manhunt on Monday.
Eric F. Gibbs faces charges of violation of order of protection, armed robbery, interference with the reporting of domestic violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine 5-15 grams and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.
On September 25 at 10:35 a.m. Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies served an order of protection in the 9800 block of Crenshaw Road.
Around 11:15 a.m. Williamson County deputies were notified of a disturbance with shots fired at the same location.
Deputies found that Gibbs had returned to the home in violation of the order of protection and fired a firearm, striking one vehicle and threatening multiple residents, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Gibbs then ran into the woods which began a five hour manhunt in the dense woods from Crenshaw to the area just north of the Pavilion in Marion.
Around 3:30 p.m. a tip led deputies to Skyline Drive about a 1/4 mile south of Crenshaw Road where they found Gibbs.
As deputies approached Gibbs he ran west across Skyline Drive. Deputies chased and he again ran into the woods, according to the sheriff’s office.
While running away Gibbs tossed a black bag which was later recovered and contained methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff’s office.
A K9 unit was deployed and found Gibbs hiding in the brush.
He refused to surrender and the K9 was deployed. Upon contact Gibbs surrendered and the K9 was recalled, according to the sheriff’s office.
Gibbs was taken into custody and taken by EMS to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in his flight through rough terrain and resisting arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
When he was released from the hospital, Gibbs was taken to the Williamson County Jail.
Deputies obtained information from Gibbs which resulted in the recovery of the firearm from a strip pit several miles away from the original scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
