DeKalb man charged with running from officer, cocaine possession

SYCAMORE – A 26-year-old DeKalb man is free on his signature after police say he fled a traffic stop and cocaine was found in his wallet.

Kerry D. West, of the 1100 block of Market Street, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, resisting a police officer, driving while license revoked and driving an uninsured vehicle. If he’s convicted of the most serious offense, possession of a controlled substance, West could face one to three years in prison.

According to a news release from the Sycamore Police Department, an officer pulled West over in the Shell station parking lot at 1400 DeKalb Ave. about 10 p.m. Monday because his silver Nissan Altima had a headlight out, but West ran away after pulling over.

Court records show the officer scaled a fence and chased West through residential yards before losing sight of him – until he spotted a leg and a foot sticking out from behind a bush along the 1800 block of Kennicott Court. The officer ordered West to come out, and he complied.

When West was being booked at the Sycamore Police Department, a dollar bill containing cocaine was found in his wallet. Assistant State’s Attorney Monique Roberts asked that bond be said at $5,000, factoring in that he has three previous felony convictions.

Chief Judge Robbin Stuckert ruled that West be released on his signature, but that he be placed on electronic home monitoring – which could be an issue for West, who said his line of work is snow removal. West is due back in court at
9 a.m. Jan. 4.