WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. – A West Frankford, Illinois, man is in Williamson County Jail Monday after he was arrested for stealing a police officer’s vehicle and attempting to run over the deputy.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, David R. Burke was at a Huck’s convenience store in Carterville, Illinois, around 3 a.m. when he stole the patrol car.
The sheriff’s office said the deputy was at a fuel pump at the convenience store when a Huck’s clerk asked for the deputy’s assistance as Burke became aggressive outside of the store.
As the deputy approached Burke, the sheriff’s office said he acted erratic, removed his shirt, and showed signs of debilitation.
The clerk reportedly said Burke had damaged a parked vehicle at the store by throwing an object at it. Burke was detained and arrested for the damage and the deputy placed him inside the patrol car.
While the deputy was inspecting the damage and speaking to witnesses, the sheriff’s office said Burke forced his way through the patrol vehicle’s transport cage and gained access to the driver’s seat.
Burke reportedly drove the police vehicle directly at the deputy in an attempt to escape. The deputy fired a single round from their weapon at Burke, the sheriff’s office said. The bullet struck the driver’s door post between the windshield and door, just an inch away from Burke.
Burke fled in the patrol car. The officer was not injured.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were called to assist in the pursuit, which reached up to 100 miles per hour, according to the sheriff’s office. Burke avoided multiple tire-deflation devices deployed to stop him.
After going through multiple counties, the sheriff’s office said Burke drove off the roadway and came to a stop in a wooded area in rural Perry County. He was taken into custody without further incident and without any injuries.
Burke was cited with 18 charges, with additional charges anticipated including criminal damage to property, theft of a motor vehicle, escape, resisting a peace officer, aggravated assault and more.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
