WILLIAMSON COUNTY — A Chicago man is in the Williamson County Jail after leading police on a chase that started in Missouri and ended in Johnston City Tuesday afternoon.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says 29-year-old Erik Peoples of  Chicago is currently held on charges of aggravated fleeing or eluding a police officer, driving while license suspended and other traffic offenses.  His initial court appearance is pending.  Charges from the Missouri Highway Patrol are also expected.

Shortly after 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff’s office became aware of a pursuit that started in Missouri when Peoples fled from the Missouri Highway Patrol in a white passenger car. Missouri authorities pursued Peoples until he crossed into Illinois. At that time, a Union County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Peoples and attempted to stop him. The deputy lost sight of Peoples. He also fled from officers as he traveled through Union and Johnson counties.

A Williamson County deputy spotted Peoples speeding on I-57 just south of the Marion exit. When the deputy tried to stop Peoples, he exited onto New Route 13 in Marion, went east to Russell Street, made a U-turn and got back onto I-57 going north at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hours. Peoples got off the interstate at Johnston City where the deputy lost sight of Peoples and began patrolling the area looking for him.

A resident of the area called 911 to report this vehicle had been abandoned in their yard.  Another resident called to report that a male who matched the description of the driver had knocked on her door and offered her cash if she would drive him from the area.  This caller said the male ran into a nearby wooded area when she refused to drive him.

Peoples was quickly located by a Williamson County canine unit in this wooded area and was taken into custody.  Officers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Johnston City Police Departments provided assistance.