(Peoria, IL) – Wednesday, February 15, 2023, local law enforcement officers conducted another Directed Patrol Detail. This detail included members of the Peoria Police Department’s Special Investigations Division (SID), Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Neighborhood Services Unit (NSU), Traffic Unit, Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 4, ISP Division of Criminal
Investigations Zone 4, and ISP Air Ops. There was a total of 30 plus law enforcement officers participating in this detail.
In keeping with departmental transparency, the following summarizes the results of yesterday’s efforts:
Approximately 45 vehicle stops were conducted, resulting in several citations and numerous warnings. Eight arrests were made. One handgun and illegal drugs were seized. 21 tickets were issued, 3 vehicles were impounded, and four abandoned vehicles were towed. 2 stolen vehicles were recovered. Below is a brief synopsis of
major incidents during the detail.
• Howett/Madison Park: At approximately 1:29 p.m. members of the Peoria Police Department’s Special Investigations Division (SID) were conducting surveillance on a wanted subject. Police observed the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Jose R. DeJesus inside a vehicle at the above location. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and detained DeJesus without incident.
DeJesus was arrested for Aggravated Vehicle Hijacking and transported to the Peoria County Jail. PPD Incident #23-2409
• 700 E. Frye Street: At approximately 3:17 p.m. Peoria Police Officers observed a stolen vehicle driving southbound on Knoxville. As officers followed, the vehicle sped away. A short time later, police located the stolen vehicle in the 700 block of E. Frye. Police observed a male exit the vehicle and flee on foot. After a brief foot chase officers located and arrested the 15-year-old suspect. The juvenile was transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviewing purposes and subsequently arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and numerous traffic charges. The juvenile was transported to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. PPD Incident #23-2805
• 3000 block of W. Montana: At approximately 6:37 p.m. Detail Officers conducted an investigative stop on a vehicle at the above location. As officers approached the vehicle, they located two occupants inside. During the stop, officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
The driver identified as 39-year-old Travis L. Kern was detained without incident. Kern was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and transported to the Peoria County Jail. PPD Incident #23-2826
• Starr/Madison Park: At approximately 11:20 p.m. Detail Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Starr and Madison Park. During the stop officers observed the driver exit the vehicle and flee on foot. The passenger inside the vehicle then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers observed the suspect who ran away on foot discard an object.
Officers did not pursue the vehicle and the male who fled on foot was not located. Officers did locate a stolen firearm that was discarded by the suspect. This investigation is ongoing.
PPD #23-2837
• Additional Information: There were no Shot Spotter alerts during this detail. There were no reports of stolen vehicles during the detail.
(SID) - In addition to this detail, SID officers conducted covert operations associated with ongoing investigations involving known violent offenders.
(Detail Officers) – Officers conducted a Walk and Talk in the area of Knoxville and Nebraska in reference to recent motor vehicle thefts. Peoria Police Department informational handouts were provided to area residents.
Message from Chief Echevarria:
“In addition to our Directed Patrol last night, our officers walked through neighborhoods where several vehicle thefts have occurred. Many of the vehicle thefts are due to cars left running unattended. Please make sure your vehicles are locked and parked in well-lit areas. Let’s do our part to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle theft.”
**All suspects and arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. **