Lee County Sheriff’s Office Report July 4, 2020
Early Saturday morning, July 4, 2020, Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle fire east of Harmon, IL. Evidence collected at the scene linked the vehicle to a homicide in South Carolina that occurred on Sunday, June 28. The suspects from that homicide, Jorden E. Johnson (white male, age 28, 6’2″ tall, 225 lbs.) and Latisha D. Evans (black female, age 20, 5’3″ tall, 150 lbs.), were believed to be in possession of the vehicle. No persons were located in or around the vehicle.
Johnson and Evans have [Illinois] ties to Sterling/Rock Falls, Whiteside County, Lee County, and Quad Cities areas. Both are still at large and may have altered their appearance to avoid detection. If seen, do not approach these individuals, as they are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information please contact your local Police jurisdiction or area Crime Stoppers: Whiteside Crime Stoppers 815-625-7867; Lee-Ogle Crime Stoppers 888-228-4488. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous; information leading to an arrest [makes informants] eligible for monetary award.
Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Update July 17, 2020
Johnson and Evans were located and taken into custody at 1512 E. 4th Street in Sterling, IL, at approximately 3:00 a.m., by the Lee County Joint Operations Group (JOG.) Both are being held at the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, pending extradition to South Carolina.
A Task Force worked diligently for several days/evenings, tracked down multiple leads, and conducted numerous interviews. Their efforts eventually led authorities to the location of the suspects.
This was the result of a comprehensive investigation by a Task Force of Law Enforcement Officers:
- Rock Falls Police Department
- Sterling Police Department
- Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office
- Dixon Police Department
- Illinois State Police Zone 2 Investigations
- Blackhawk Area Task Force
- Statewide Terrorism Intelligence Center
- Lee County Sheriff’s Office
- U. S. Marshals Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigations.