July 18, 2003

By BOB MORROW
of the Journal Star - LaSalle, Illinois

LaSALLE - Police say a routine traffic stop early Thursday on Interstate 39 near Tonica led to "wanted" bulletins for two Ottawa residents - a man who fled on foot and a woman who heisted a squad car to make her escape.

An Illinois State Police trooper stopped a car driven by Christie D. Carver, 22, of 909 Webster St. in Ottawa at 12:54 a.m. Thursday for improper lighting, District 17 public information officer Tim Reppin said.

Carver did not have a driver's license, and according to Reppin, initially gave the trooper a false name.

The trooper put Carver in his squad car, and another trooper arrived on the scene.

While the troopers talked with Carver, Justin J. Francis, 30, also of 909 Webster St., leaped from Carver's car and fled into a cornfield, Reppin said. Troopers requested assistance to search the area.

A third trooper arrived to offer assistance and placed Carver in the passenger seat of his squad car. While that trooper talked with an area K-9 officer, Carver climbed over the center console and into the driver's seat. She then took off, heading south on I-39, Reppin said.

The squad car was last seen as it exited I-39 onto Illinois Route 18. It was later found in a ditch along Illinois Route 251 north of Rutland by a Marshall County deputy. Surveillance equipment was damaged, but otherwise the vehicle was not harmed.

Troopers did not pursue the stolen car because guidelines did not warrant a chase, Reppin said. Instead, they followed the vehicle until they lost the suspect when she left I-39.

The name of the trooper whose car was stolen is being withheld pending an internal investigation, Reppin said.

Carver is wanted on charges of obstructing justice and aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle. She is described as white, 5 feet 5 inches tall and with blonde hair. Francis is wanted on a charge of obstructing justice. He is described as white 6 feet tall and with blonde hair.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects is urged to call State Police District 17 Headquarters at (815) 224-1171. People who wish to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at (815) 433-4357.

Back