Man arrested after burglary investigation, chase in Creal Springs
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — A man was arrested Thursday in connection with a residential burglary investigation after a vehicle pursuit and foot chase in Creal Springs, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said a sheriff’s office deputy spotted a blue 2002 Dodge Ram traveling northbound on South Line Street near Borton Street at about 2:27 p.m. Dec. 18. The vehicle matched the description of a stolen vehicle reported out of Marion and did not display a registration plate.
Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver failed to comply and continued for several blocks before driving into a wooded area known as “The Sawmill.” Authorities said the driver lost control of the vehicle in the muddy, rutted terrain, struck a tree and disabled the truck before fleeing on foot into the woods.
Additional units responded, and a K-9 tracked the suspect back toward Creal Springs. Before the K-9 made contact, deputies were advised by members of the public that the suspect had entered a residence in the 300 block of South Brown Street. Deputies obtained consent to enter the home and took the suspect into custody without incident.
Investigators identified the suspect as Cleveland “Shawn” Haws and confirmed the Dodge Ram was connected to a residential burglary reported earlier in the week. Deputies responded at about 4:59 a.m. Dec. 13 to a burglary in the 100 block of West Chamness Street, where witnesses reported seeing a blue Dodge Ram leave the area at a high rate of speed. Items reported stolen included jewelry, clothing, automotive parts and a safe. Detectives later recovered some of the stolen property and identified Haws as the suspect.
Haws was taken into custody and booked into the Williamson County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including residential burglary, burglary, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless conduct, reckless driving, driving while license suspended and several traffic violations.
“Criminal activity doesn’t get a pass based on location, and neither does our response,” Sheriff Jeff Diederich said. “Whether it occurs in a city, a subdivision or a rural area, we will pursue offenders wherever the investigation leads.”
Anyone with information related to this or other investigations is encouraged to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or submit a tip through the Williamson County Sheriff’s App. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
