These charges are merely an arrest, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, around 7:00 p.m., the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Prophetstown Police Department with the pursuit of a vehicle, that fled while Police were attempting to make a traffic stop. This vehicle, being a white in color, 2019 Nissan pickup, had been reported stolen to Sterling Police Department on Wednesday, March 6 Prophetstown Police pursued the pickup northbound on Route 78 to Interstate 88. While traveling eastbound on Interstate 88 the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office joined in the pursuit. The pursuit continued through the cities of Rock Falls, and Sterling, IL, and then into Lee County back into Sterling. [It] finally ended in Rock Falls, after Rock Falls Police deployed stop sticks, and the suspect’s pickup truck tires were punctured by the stop sticks.
Arrested on scene was Heather N. Stafford, a 29-year-old female formerly of Morrison, IL. Stafford was charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing or Elud[ing], Disobeyed Traffic Control Device, Disobeyed Stop Sign, and Speeding 35mph over posted speed limit. Stafford was taken to Whiteside County Jail and is being held on a $250,000 bond.
No further information will be provided at this time, as this incident remains under investigation.
Agencies involved or assisting were Prophetstown Police, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, Sterling Police, Rock Falls Police, and Lee County Sheriff’s Office.