Two stolen vehicles allegedly involved in manhunt near Streator

STREATOR – A man wanted for burglary, attempted theft and criminal damage to property was arrested after a man hunt in rural LaSalle County that involved two allegedly stolen vehicles. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office say a deputy stopped a reportedly stolen vehicle around 1:00 AM on North 17th road outside of Streator when the driver, 29-year-old Leroy E. Persinger of Streator,  while being taken into custody, got into an altercation with the deputy , and according to authorities, a female passenger had a small safe on her lap. She exited the vehicle and allegedly approached the deputy with her hand in her waist band. The deputy pushed away from Persinger and the pair reportedly fled into a cornfield. Hours later, a deputy observed a garage door opening at a nearby business and a vehicle drive away. The truck was followed for a short distance when the two occupants fled the vehicle into another cornfield. Multiple agencies combed the area and Persinger and the as yet to be identified female were taken into custody. Additional charges may be pending for both individuals.