Mattoon Man Arrested After Attempted Holdup

Mattoon police have arrested a Mattoon man on counts including attempted aggravated armed robbery.

21-year-old Daniel P. Quainter was arrested at 3:45am Thursday at the intersection of the Lerna and Old State Roads on the south side of Mattoon. Quainter was charged with attempted aggravated armed robbery with a firearm, two counts of possession of a defaced firearm, and aggravated fleeing and eluding police.

(DANIEL QUAINTER)

Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Jason Taylor said the incident with Quainter began at approximately 3:30am when he allegedly forced his way into a Mattoon motel room and attempted to rob the occupants at gunpoint. Quainter then fled in a vehicle, leading police on a car chase at speeds of just over 100mph. Quainter lost control of the vehicle while attempting to turn onto Old State Road and became stuck in a ditch where police took him into custody. Quainter was found to be armed with two loaded pistols that had their serial numbers defaced from the weapons, and approximately 150 rounds of ammunition. Quainter was taken to Coles County Jail.

Mattoon city police are continuing their investigation into the incident.