Suspects apprehended after car crash, foot chase in Ottawa

Ottawa police apprehended three suspects who fled a car crash near the downtown area that prompted the YMCA and Marquette Academy High School to go into lockdown.

There was, however, no active shooter at the high schools. Even before the trio was taken into custody, La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro and Ottawa police said social media reports of an armed individual were false.

Capt. Kyle Booras of the Ottawa Police Department reported at 12:54 p.m. that the two remaining suspects – one was apprehended right away – had been detained and expected the lockdowns would be lifted.

An Ottawa patrol officer tried to conduct a traffic stop shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday in the 1300 block of La Salle Street on a vehicle reported stolen out of Shiller Park. Upon trying to stop the vehicle, the vehicle was almost immediately involved in a traffic crash at La Salle and West Washington streets, causing disabling damage to the vehicle, Booras said in a news release sent Friday. The three suspects fled from the vehicle on foot before each being apprehended.

Kemar R. Mathews-Hill, 25, of Chicago, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing/eluding, possession of a weapon by a felon, resisting/obstructing a police officer and multiple traffic citations.

Shimund R. Jones, 24, of Chicago, had a warrant charging him with a parole violation and also was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, resisting/obstructing a police officer and unlawful trespass to a motor vehicle.

A 17-year-old girl from Chicago was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun by a person younger than 21, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, resisting/obstructing a police officer and unlawful trespass to a motor vehicle.

Jones and Matthews-Hill were taken to the La Salle County Jail, and the 17-year-old girl was taken to the La Salle County Juvenile Detention Home. Additional charges may be pending.

“There was no active threat to the public, but out of an abundance of caution, Marquette Academy was notified of the incident due to the proximity of the crash,” Booras said Friday.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Washington and La Salle streets, and Ottawa police, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and state police searched a four-block area for the three occupants, one of whom was quickly apprehended.