Altamont Man Arrested Following Burglary, Manhunt

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Published on October 7 2015 4:13 pm
Last Updated on October 9 2015 9:36 am
Written by Greg Sapp

A rural Altamont man is in custody following a burglary and a subsequent manhunt on Tuesday.

36-year-old James W. Settlemire, Jr. is being held on counts of aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer as well as theft over $500.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office was notified just after 2pm Tuesday of a burglary from a business in Watson. During the investigation, sheriff's deputies determined that a loaded Glock 9mm pistol had been taken from the business. A description of the primary suspect and a detailed vehicle description were dispatched with an attempt to locate with information that the subject may be armed and dangerous.

Just before 5:30pm Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy observed a vehicle and its driver matching the description of the suspect and vehicle on 300th Street, south of Altamont. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to stop. The deputy pursued the vehicle to a rural area east of Altamont at 6512 North 675th Street where the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area.

A perimeter was set up utilizing units from the Effingham County Sheriff's Department, the Altamont Police Department and the Illinois State Police. The Altamont Police Department's K9 Unit was dispatched to the scene and the Illinois State Police Air Operations Unit was called to assist in the search from the air.

The Altamont K9 tracked the suspect approximately a half-mile to a road where the suspect was picked up and taken to a residence about a mile away. Through a tip from a passing motorist, deputies responded to the residence and apprehended Settlemire without incident. The Glock pistol had been thrown from the suspect vehicle and was recovered, and the State Police air unit was called off.

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon credited the success of the operation to the initial investigation, the timely informational dispatch, and the observation skills of the patrol deputy who observed the suspect vehicle while on routine patrol. Mahon also offered thanks to the Altamont Police Department and the Illinois State Police for what he termed "their rapid response to the incident and for their continued support in our joint effort to combat crime in our county."