Off-duty officer tackles man along Highway 50 when he reaches in waistband for inhaler
By Vicky Wedig
Editor
An Illinois man ran from Delavan police after he was allegedly spotted trying to steal a computer from Walmart, and was tackled by an off-duty police officer along Highway 50 after reaching into his waistband for his inhaler.
Anthony L. Evans, 35, of Freeport, Ill., was charged in Walworth County Circuit Court with felony bail jumping, three counts of retail theft, criminal damage to property and two counts of disorderly conduct after the Jan. 13 incident.
Delavan police were called to Walmart at about 9:15 a.m. Jan. 13 for a report of a man, later identified as Evans, and a woman who were suspected in previous thefts from Walmart and were seen that day trying to remove a security device from a secured computer, according to police.
As the officer approached Walmart, Evans and the woman were quickly exiting the grocery entrance of the store, and Evans fled when the officer yelled, “Police, stop!” according to the police report. Evans initially ran east toward East Geneva Street, turned and went west toward GameStop, and then crossed to the south side of East Geneva Street and ran toward Interstate 43, according to the report.
Several vehicles had to slow down or stop to avoid hitting Evans as he ran across Highway 50. The officer, who was chasing Evans on foot, got into a Mercy Hospital emergency vehicle that was among the cars that had to slow to avoid Evans, according to the report. The Mercy vehicle activated its lights and pursued Evans.
At the same time, an off-duty Delavan police officer had heard the call over the police radio regarding the foot pursuit and went to the area where he approached Evans, who was, at that point, walking along Highway 50, according to the report. Evans began to run when the officer, who was not in uniform, got closer to him. The officer yelled, “Stop, police!” and began to chase Evans.
The Mercy emergency vehicle and another squad car with its lights activated arrived as the off-duty officer was chasing Evans. The officer saw Evans make a quick movement to his waistband with his right hand, and, at that point, tackled Evans to the ground, according to the report. The officer riding in the Mercy emergency vehicle also saw Evans reach for his waistband and drew his service weapon and pointed it at Evans before the off-duty officer tackled Evans, according to police. At that point, the officer returned his gun to its holster and placed Evans in handcuffs.
Police said Evans was breathing heavy and told the officer he had asthma and was reaching for his inhaler.
Police then called for an ambulance, which took Evans to Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center for medical clearance before he was taken to the Walworth County Jail.
Evans is expected to appear in court Friday on the four felony and three misdemeanor offenses.
