On Saturday night, East Moline police arrested 20-year-old Jacob Martin at his mother's house.
Rock Island police say last Thursday, Martin drove a stolen Honda into the driver's side of a police car. He led police on a chase through town and the Milan Beltway at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Officers ended the pursuit to prevent a crash.
Then on Saturday night, East Moline police responded to a stolen car alert from an "Automated License Plate Reader Camera." Police officers found the stolen car near his mother's home and arrested Martin.
He's being held at the Rock Island County Jail.
Previous version - 3/17/2023
The Rock Island Police Department is asking for help finding the man who endangered the life of an officer.
Thursday night around 6:30, police spotted a stolen vehicle in the 800 block of 11th Avenue. Officers identified the driver as 20-year-old Jacob Martin. Police say he was driving a stolen Honda CRV recklessly, followed the police car, and intentionally tried to cause a crash and provoke a pursuit.
Despite the Rock Island officer’s best efforts, Martin drove the stolen car into the driver's side of the police car in the 1100 block of 13th Avenue. (See video below.)
Then officers pursued him through town and eventually to the Milan Beltway at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Officers stopped chasing him because of wet pavement and potential for serious injury. They lost sight of Martin and the stolen vehicle.
Rock Island police say over seven months, he has engaged in numerous attempts to provoke officers into pursuing him, often swerving directly at them on foot and in squad cars.
Martin is wanted for aggravated assault plus several other charges, such as car theft, burglary, aggravated assault, and a weapons charge.
Anyone with information about him should call the Rock Island Police Department at 309.732.2677, Crime Stoppers at 309.762.9500, or use the P3 Tips app.
Police say Martin has an extensive criminal history and is known to carry weapons. He should be considered a dangerous fugitive.
