Illinois Man Arrested Following Pursuit That Leads to Recovery of Stolen Vehicle

Just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Trooper Alaina Thomen was patrolling Interstate 74. Trooper Thomen stopped a 2017 Ford F-150 on the eastbound exit ramp from Interstate 74 to State Road 25 for traveling in excess of 100 mph. The driver of the F-150 was later identified as Keshawn Cotton, 18, from Danville, IL. As Trooper Thomen approached the F-150, Cotton fled at a high rate of speed. Trooper Thomen pursued the F-150 southbound on State Road 25 before losing sight of it near Union Street in Waynetown.

Shortly after losing sight of the F-150, dispatch received a phone call that a vehicle matching the description of the F-150 was at the intersection of Union Street and Centerville Road in Waynetown. Officers quickly converged in the area and located the F-150, which was crashed into a tree and abandoned. Officers on the scene set up a perimeter and later located Cotton. Cotton was safely taken into custody and transported to Montgomery County Jail.

Further investigation revealed Cotton provided Trooper Thomen with a false name, and the F-150 was reported stolen from Chicago, IL.

Arrested and preliminary charges:

– Keshawn Cotton, 18, Danville, IL

  1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
  2. Theft of a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
  3. False Informing – Class A Misdemeanor
  4. False Identifying Statement – Class A Misdemeanor
  5. Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash – Class B Misdemeanor
  6. Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor
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