PCSD released more info on fugitives
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JESSICA K. POPE
MATTHEW G. LAWRENCE
By BETH ZUMWALT
The two individuals being sought by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, the weekend of Sept. 5-7 were apprehended Sept. along Highway 106. Matthew G. Lawrence, 40, Champaign and Jessica K. Pope, 28, were both apprehended without incident Sept. 7, near Barry.
Law enforcement was looking for the occupants of their vehicle after it had crashed Sept. 5 about 10:30 a.m. on I-72 near mile marker 18. When law enforcement had arrived, the vehicle’s occupants had fled the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing a male and a female involved in the crash. The witnesses stopped to provide assistance, but both individuals declined help. A subsequent tow-inventory of the vehicle revealed crack cocaine, heroin, additional controlled substances, used hypodermic syringes, digital scales, and other drug-related paraphernalia. The occupants did not return to the scene as required by law.
Law enforcement continued to look for the vehicle’s occupants and Saturday morning, a resident from the area reported two individuals had come to their residence and admitted they had been left alongside the roadway.
The resident was able to provide a description of the couple and throughout the next 24 hours, calls came in regarding sightings of the two.
A deputy responded to 106, just west of Barry Sunday morning and arrested the two.
Lawrence is being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a warrant from Douglas County, a warrant from Peoria County.
Pope has been charged with leaving the scene of a accident, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
During the arrests, both individuals were discovered to be in possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia,
Pope appeared in court Sept. 9 and had John P. Coonrod appointed as her public defender. Her next court appearance is Oct. 21 for a preliminary hearing. She was released under the provisions of the SAF-T-ACT.
Lawrence remains lodged in the Pike County Jail and has had Rick Zimmerman appointed as his attorney. His next appearance is Sept. 23, also for a preliminary hearing.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Department thanks Pike County Crimestoppers and community members for their assistance in this case.
As a reminder, if you have any information regarding crimes in Pike County you can call Pike County Crime Stoppers at 217-285-1500. If the information you provide leads to the arrest of the individuals involved, you may be eligible for a cash reward. The call is completely anonymous.