Chicago man arrested after wrecking stolen car during police chase on I-57

MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — A Chicago man was arrested over the weekend after leading Mattoon police on a chase.

Mattoon PD said Devonj L. Wilson, age 38 of Chicago, was arrested on Saturday after crashing a stolen car on Interstate-57. He has been charged with aggravated battery, unlawful possession of firearm by felon, aggravated unlawful use of weapon, aggravated fleeing/eluding a peace officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and driving while license revoked.

On Saturday, MPD was sent information from the Charleston Police Department that said Wilson had committed multiple crimes in Chicago and was possibly on his way to Coles County to harm a resident.

CPD also told the department that "Wilson was armed with a firearm and threatened to 'get into a shootout with police' if encountered by law enforcement."

Mattoon police found the vehicle, which was stolen from Chicago, in a parking lot on Broadway Avenue East. Wilson struck a squad car while fleeing and officers chased his car onto I-57 until it wrecked in the median at mile marker 185.

During a vehicle search, officers found a loaded handgun and drugs.

Wilson is in custody at the Coles County Safety and Detention Center, where he awaits a detention hearing.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.