On Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 4:30 p.m., Whiteside County Deputies made a traffic stop on a 1998, black, Buick Riviera in the 500 block of E. U. S. Route 30, Rock Falls, IL, at the entrance of Crystal Lake Motel. As the Deputies approached the Buick Riviera, they observed a tan color, 1999, Chevrolet Blazer drive away from a parking stall in front of one of the rooms of the motel. As the Blazer approached the Deputies, they were able to see a male driver known to them to be Chad Payne, 40 years old of Rock Falls. The Blazer drove through the yard just east of the traffic stop, traveled through the north ditch off U. S. Route 30, and entering onto the U. S. Route 30 roadway. The Blazer continued driving eastbound on Route 30 at a dangerously high rate of speed.
Deputies were able to locate the Blazer approximately ½ mile from the Crystal Lake Motel entrance. The Blazer had struck a light pole at the northeast corner of McNeil Road and Route 30. Payne had fled from the vehicle on foot, leaving the scene of the accident. A K-9 track was started by Whiteside County Deputy and K-9 Amor. Amor located Payne, who was taken into custody. Payne was arrested on a Whiteside County Warrant for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and a Violation of Probation Warrant out of Kansas. Payne was transported to the Whiteside County Jail, after being treated and released for possible injuries from the crash.
There is an on-going investigation involving Payne and possible other subjects, so at this time no additional information will be released. Whiteside County Deputies were assisted by Rock Falls Police, Dixon Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police. Sheriff Booker extends a thank you to all the citizens in the area of Crystal Lake Motel for their patience and understanding, as well a thank you to all the Police Departments, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Illinois State Police on working together to keep our Counties safer.
Payne is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
