Man arrested after police chase through Decatur: Sheriff

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A man is under arrest in Decatur after the Macon County Sheriff’s Office said he led deputies on a chase through the downtown area on Monday.

Officials said that around 12:45 p.m., deputies tried to stop a vehicle for expired or suspended license plates. The driver, later identified as 40-year-old John Inman, refused to stop and led deputies on a chase for five or six blocks.

The chase ended when officials said Inman crashed his car into a small concrete retaining wall at Central Park, near Prairie and Franklin Streets. He got out and tried to run away but was caught near the Decatur Public Library.

Officials said Inman admitted to fleeing police due to outstanding warrants he knew he had for failing to appear in court. A search of his car also turned up a .45 caliber pistol with the serial number defaced.

Inman was booked into the Macon County Jail on charges of armed violence, aggravated fleeing and eluding, being a felon with a gun, having a gun with a defaced serial number and criminal damage to property. He was also booked on the failure to appear warrants and an IDOC warrant for parole violations.

Inman is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.