FREEPORT — A routine traffic stop turned into a high-speed pursuit, which led to a foot chase, two arrests and the seizure of eight pounds of drugs last week, according to Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Andy Schroeder.

At approximately 5:21 p.m. on July 2, a deputy assigned to the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), was patrolling on Business Route 20 near Springfield Road in rural Freeport.

“The deputy observed a westbound vehicle being driven by Darren Miller, 36, Freeport, a person known by the deputy for having a revoked driver’s license,” Schroeder said. “While attempting to maneuver behind the offending vehicle to initiate a stop, it fled into Freeport on Adams Avenue reaching speeds over 100 mph.”

After a short vehicle pursuit, the offending vehicle came to an abrupt stop near Adams Avenue and Float Avenue in Freeport and all three occupants fled on foot. Following a foot pursuit, Darren Miller was apprehended by the CSU deputy in the 500 block of S. Liberty Avenue, and one of the passengers in the vehicle, Trarrell Thompson, 25, Freeport, was apprehended by an assisting Freeport Police Officer. 

The third passenger was not located and last seen running near Ottawa Avenue and Winneshiek Street. After two of the three vehicle occupants were taken into custody, a search of the offending vehicle was conducted and approximately eight pounds of cannabis was recovered.

Following a review of this case by the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Miller has been charged with the felony offenses of Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis (more than 2,000 grams but less than 5,000 grams) and Aggravated Fleeing to Elude a Peace Officer along with a misdemeanor charge of Driving While License Revoked. Miller is being held at the Stephenson County Jail pending the outcome of a detention hearing. 

Thompson was charged with a misdemeanor offense of Resisting a Peace Officer and was released under the provisions of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.

“The public is reminded that both defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” Schroeder said.