Police chase down in Springfield nets drug cache         

Suspected drug dealer apprehended

[JUNE 29, 2006]  Three police agencies were involved in the apprehension of a man from Normal who would not stop for a state police trooper on Interstate 55 on Wednesday. The trooper attempted to stop a silver 2006 Mitsubishi Gallant for a registration violation. The driver was southbound at Milepost 101 at 9:56 a.m. The trooper terminated the stop, allowing the vehicle to continue on its way.

Illinois State Police District 9 put out a radio broadcast describing the vehicle, and Sangamon Sheriff's Department and the Springfield Police Department joined the effort.

A citizen observed the vehicle in a parking area off North Dirksen Parkway in Springfield.

Police arrived at the parking area and learned that two males had exited the car and fled on foot. Illinois State Police and assisting agencies conducted an immediate search of the area and located the men in the area of the Twin Lakes subdivision. The two males were taken into custody without incident after a brief manhunt.

A later search conducted by police revealed that the vehicle occupied by the fleeing subjects contained cannabis. An estimated 6,583 grams of cannabis was discovered in the trunk of the passenger vehicle.

The driver, Earl Barns, 28, was arrested for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (over 5,000 grams).

The other occupant (passenger) of the vehicle was questioned and released.

The investigation of this incident is being conducted by the Illinois State Police.

[Illinois State Police District 9 and LDN]