A high speed chase that led Kewanee police officers through town ended with several squad cars being damaged, according to Kewanee Police Chief Stephen Kijanowski.
The incident that led to the damage occurred on Thursday, Nov. 7 when police were dispatched to the 600 block of East Sixth Street for a reported burglary and attempted arson. When officers arrived on the scene, they saw an active fire at a residence and identified a blue Chevrolet Suburban fleeing the scene. As the Chevy left the scene, it nearly struck a police officer. That vehicle, police say, was operated by Roberto Martinez, 42, Kewanee
During the police pursuit, several of the city’s squad cars were damaged, according to a news release, and one vehicle was used to disable Martinez’s vehicle and end the pursuit.
“We currently don’t have a cost estimate for the damage,” Kijanowski wrote in an email response to an inquiry from The Kewanee Voice.
The Chief said that according to the fleet maintenance team, the damage to the cars is cosmetic and the vehicles can remain in service until body repairs are scheduled. In total, two KPD vehicles, one country vehicle and a parked car sustained damage during the incident. The county squad car experienced more extensive damage, though he didn’t have specific details on it at this time.
Regarding insurance, the suspect’s vehicle was insured, so the city will likely pursue coverage through that provider, though that process has not yet begun.
“Once repairs are underway, I anticipate it may take a couple of weeks for the vehicles to be fully back in service,” Kijanwoski said.
On Friday, formal charges were filed in Henry County Court against Martinez by the Henry County State’s Attorney. Court records show that Martinez was charged with several counts of attempted murder, criminal property damage, aggravated fleeing and attempting to evade a peace officer, criminal trespass to a residence, resisting a peace officer, residential burglary and arson.
In addition, Martinez was charged with five major traffic offenses including reckless driving.
No date has been set for Martinez’s first court appearance.
