Suspect in Shooting Surrenders

Jun 22, 07:36 AM

Current Headlines: The Associated Press

ARCOLA

A man wanted in a shooting that left a sheriff's deputy wounded and later took five hostages in a bank surrendered late Thursday, authorities said.

The standoff, which occurred after a high-speed chase through Illinois farm country, ended about 7 p.m., Arcola Police Chief Mike Phillip said.

The man had released four hostages unharmed throughout the hours- long standoff at the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust. The last hostage who had remained Thursday evening also was unharmed, State Police Sgt. Bill Emery said.

The situation started midmorning when a state trooper pulled over a silver car for having windows that were too darkly tinted.

The trooper sensed something was not right and called for a drug- sniffing dog. Then, "the driver put it in gear and took off," Emery said. The trooper did not pursue the vehicle because it is State Police policy to give chase only if there has been a violent crime, Emery said.

About an hour later, the two men in the vehicle robbed a home and stole a van about seven miles from where they were first pulled over, Emery said.

Soon after, Chief Deputy Tommy Martin pulled the van over. He was shot in the face and torso as he walked up to the vehicle, Emery said.

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