Harrisburg man arrested after fleeing in stolen vehicle
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
HARRISBURG, Ill., (KBSI) – A Harrisburg man was arrested Friday after officers located a stolen vehicle, pursued it through the city and apprehended three suspects who fled on foot following a crash, the Harrisburg Police Department said.
Around 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 28, officers spotted a vehicle reported stolen earlier that day traveling on Locust Street. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. A short distance away, the stolen vehicle crashed into two unoccupied vehicles, and three suspects ran from the scene.
Officers and Saline County sheriff’s deputies arrived moments later, and bystanders directed them toward the fleeing suspects. Police detained an adult male and two juvenile females. The adult, identified as Jerry D. Zappa, 33, of Harrisburg, was arrested and taken to the George F. Henley Detention Center. The juveniles were released in accordance with the Illinois Juvenile Court Act.
Police said Zappa faces the following preliminary charges:
- Unlawful possession of a converted motor vehicle
- Driving while license revoked
- Reckless driving
- Unlawful restraint
- Unlawful possession of methamphetamine
- Aggravated fleeing to elude a police officer (three counts)
- Endangering the life or health of a child (two counts)
- Leaving the scene of a property damage crash
Zappa is also a suspect in two additional motor vehicle theft investigations, which remain ongoing.
Police noted that all charges are preliminary and that Zappa is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
