Subject in Custody in Jasper County Incident

A pursuit and subsequent arrest of a man in Jasper County Thursday evening involved two stolen vehicles.

The incident began Thursday morning in Newton and concluded east of town near Sam Parr State Park.

Newton City Police Chief Mike Swick said his officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance along South Van Buren Street in Newton at 10:49am. Police discovered the vehicle involved in the incident was stolen from Tennessee. The man involved in the disturbance, later identified as 33-year-old Kenny D. Mathis of Cookeville, Tennessee, had furnished false information to police and then left the scene. 

Just after 4pm, a car owned by Jennifer Britton of Newton was stolen from Peterson Park. The vehicle was locked at the time and had been broken into. A chase ensued that led police to an area north and east of Newton near Sam Parr State Park. Mathis allegedly drove the vehicle into a cornfield and then fled on foot. 

Mathis was apprehended about 10:21pm. He is being held on charges of obstruction of a police officer and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, but additional charges may be filed. Mathis is being held in Jasper County Jail in Newton pending bond being set.

Newton police were assisted by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Conservation Police, Jasper County EMA, Region 9 ILEAS Team members, and Wade Township Fire Department. Newton police are also thanking other volunteers including neighbors who assisted with ATVs.