SOUTH PEKIN, Ill. – Some bystanders are getting credited with an assist in the arrest of a man who allegedly led a Tazewell County sheriffs deputy on a chase Monday — a man who ended up being wanted on some very serious charges.
A Facebook post has gone viral showing two people rushing across the street to the Dollar General store on Route 29 in South Pekin around 10:30 Monday morning, after seeing a suspect struggling with the deputy.
Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower confirms the help was given in the arrest of Ian Lenart, 22. Lower says Lenart was wanted on several warrants, and now faces charges of Aggravated Battery, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Justice, and Obstructing Identification.
Lenart was also charged in a separate case with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Minor, said Lower.
10/13/22 UPDATE: Lenart is charged in Tazewell County only with Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, and is scheduled for arraignment October 27. In Woodford County, court records indicate Lenart has not appeared in court since May, 2021 on misdemeanor charges of Public Indecency in one case; and has not appeared in court since May, 2021 on a separate case charging Domestic Battery, Interfering with the Reporting of Domestic Violence, and Criminal Damage to Property.
No other charges are believed to exist in Peoria, Tazewell, or Woodford Counties.
Comments