An attempted traffic stop, a car chase and a standoff eventually led to the arrest on one man in Tazewell County.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy conducted the traffic stop at 14th Street and Derby in Pekin at 12:17 a.m. Sunday. The driver, identified as Brian Bearce, was recognized by the deputy from previous encounters. The deputy also knew of outstanding arrested warrants for Bearce related to traffic and felony criminal cases.
Bearce refused to pull over and was pursued west on Derby Street. Sheriff Jeff Lower says during the course of the chase, Bearce allegedly point a handgun out his window toward the deputy. The pursuit ended when Bearce crashed into a vehicle traveling south on 8th St.
Pekin police officers and Tazewell County deputies arrived at the scene and there was a short standoff at the crash scene, during which Bearce was seen holding a handgun to his head and shouting for officers to kill him.
Bearce later ran from the scene with the handgun and was found a short time later hinding behind a bush behind a residence. After several orders to put down the gun, a Pekin police officer fired a less-lethal shotgun striking Bearce twice with bean bag rounds. Bearce against attempted to run from the scene. Bearce was taken into custody when he was tased by a Tazewell County deputy. The handgun was recovered in addition to a hoslter still on Bearce’s body.
Bearce was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful use of weapons, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, recless driving, driving on a suspended license and flee or attempted to elude police officer. Bearce also had five outstanding warrants for his arrest out of Tazewell and Peoria County.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation with the assistance of the Pekin Police Department and Illinois State Police.
Lower said no serious injuries were reported to those involved in the crash.
