Police Seek Bellflower Man In Shooting Of Mahomet Officer
Photos released by the Illinois State Police of 35 year old Dracy "Clint" Pendelton of Bellflower; wanted for the charge of attempted murder of a Mahomet police officer Saturday night. Illinois State Police
The search continues for Dracy “Clint” Pendleton, the 35 year old Bellflower man who’s charged with shooting a Mahomet police officer Saturday night.
Mahomet Police Chief Mike Metzler says Pendleton was the subject of a police traffic stop Saturday night. Then, on Mahomet’s South Vine Street, he encountered and got into a fight with another police officer.
Metzler says Pendleton used a handgun to shoot the second officer in the arm. He’s identified in news reports as Mahomet Police officer Jeremy Scharlow. Metzler says when Scharlow returned fire, Pendleton fled into a residence and retrieved a rifle, firing more rounds before fleeing in a stolen pickup truck, which was later found near the Riverbend Forest Preserve south of Mahomet. Scharlow is recovering at home after being treated at a local hospital.
A Champaign County judge has issued an arrest warrant for Pendleton, accusing him of aggravated battery with a firearm; State Police describe the charge as attempted murder of a police officer. Chief Metzler says Pendleton is believed to be injured and heavily armed and dangerous.
Pendleton is described by police as a white male, 35 years old, 5'10", 155 lbs., with blue eyes and blonde hair. Anyone with information about Pendleton is asked to contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-384-TIPS or at www.373tips.com.
Meanwhile, a State Police spokesman says a state trooper was responding to a call about the shooting of the Mahomet Police officer Saturday night when his patrol car struck a van at an intersection in Decatur. The accident killed the van’s driver, a 26 year old woman, whose name has not been released.