Police say Pecatonica man fled from officers, clocked at 125 mph in a 55-mph zone

OREGON – A Pecatonica man was charged Thursday with driving on a suspended license and six other charges, accused of fleeing from Ogle County sheriff’s deputies who said he was traveling 125 mph in a 55-mph speed zone.

Jered T. Vautsmeier, 21, was taken into custody by Pecatonica police Monday in Winnebago County after a traffic stop near Polo earlier that day.

Ogle County sheriff’s deputies pulled over Vautsmeier at 6:24 p.m. in the 11,000 block of West Route 64 outside of Polo when Vautsmeier fled the traffic stop and a pursuit took place, according to a news release.

“The vehicle fled from deputies at a high rate of speed until the pursuit was terminated for safety concerns. The vehicle was located a short time later in Leaf River and again fled from deputies. The pursuit was again terminated a short time after it entered Winnebago County,” according to the release.

The vehicle eventually was found by Pecatonica police in Winnebago County, where Ogle County deputies took custody of Vautsmeier.

In addition to the driving on a suspended license charge, a felony offense, he also is charged with driving more than 35 mph over the speed limit, fleeing/attempting to elude an officer, improper lane usage, disregarding a traffic control device, improper display of registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

He was taken to the Ogle County Jail on Monday for processing and released on a notice to appear. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 22.

Ogle County deputies were assisted by the Pecatonica Police Department, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police.