Suspect Jacob Roach/Photo courtesy of Illinois Department of Correction

by Todd Wineburner

Pontiac police, the Livingston County Sheriff's police, and the Illinois State Police were all on hand yesterday (1/29) when Jacob Roach of Cornell was taken into custody. An arrest warrant was issued in LaSalle county after Roach was reportedly involved with an incident in Streator which led to a police chase. Roach escaped, but the car he was driving at the time was reported stolen in Livingston county, linking Roach to other crimes.

Tuesday (1/29) afternoon, a vehicle that Roach is believed to have stolen was seen parked behind the Palamar Hotel in Pontiac. Pontiac police obtained a search warrant for the nearby home of Roach's mother. When officers arrived to serve the warrant, Roach surrendered without incident before officers entered the home.

Roach was taken to OSF St. James Hospital for a physical examination, after which he was transported to the Livingston County jail. He's currently being held on the LaSalle county arrest warrant, as well as an Illinois Department of Corrections parole warrant. An investigation concerning Roach's involvement in various crimes is ongoing.