2/20/18 – Peoria, IL – Man Attempts To Ram Airport Terminal Building With Stolen Car – Smashes Window Of Peoria Co. Sheriff’s Vehicle – Tries To Steal It

www.pjstar.com

The havoc a Peoria-area man appeared to wreak last weekend at the local international airport is a bit mind-boggling.

Justin Deemie’s alleged behavior early last Saturday included attempting to ram the terminal building with a stolen car and possibly boarding a parked airplane. At one point, it also appears Deemie was behind the wheel of a running, marked Peoria County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.

The car was parked in front of the terminal at Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, according to a sheriff’s-office criminal report. At least one deputy is stationed at the airport at all times.

The deputy who filed the report was checking a commotion Deemie might have caused in the terminal, which he entered after he abandoned a car in front of it. At about 3 a.m., the terminal was devoid of passengers.

Finding nothing, the deputy was talking with a night-shift maintenance worker near the ticket counters when they observed a man near the squad car parked outside, the report stated. The deputy attempted to use a remote-entry key fob to lock the vehicle but apparently hit the unlock button by mistake.

The deputy walked outside and saw Deemie sitting in the driver’s seat of the squad car, with seat belt buckled, the report stated. Deemie appeared to be inserting into the ignition keys that were left in the car. Knives were kept in a front-seat passenger compartment.

The deputy then drew a service pistol, pointed it toward Deemie and ordered him to show his hands, according to the report.

The deputy reholstered the gun and attempted to pull Deemie from the car and restrain him, the report said. But Deemie threw punches, broke free and ran to the airport parking lot. Following a brief chase, the deputy and a colleague apprehended him.

When the deputy returned to the squad car, the officer noticed a rear passenger window was broken and a 50-to-70-pound landscaping rock was lying in the backseat, the report stated.

Charges against Deemie include home invasion, aggravated battery, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal trespass, criminal damage to government-supported property and resisting a peace officer. He was expected to appear Tuesday in Peoria County Circuit Court.