Florida man arrested after fleeing routine traffic stop in Barry

BARRY, Ill. — A Florida man was arrested Thursday night after he tried to flee from Pike County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

While on routine patrol along Decatur Street, deputies checked the vehicle registration of a tan colored Chrysler Town and Country Van and learned the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Madison County, Illinois.

An attempt was made to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. After a short pursuit, the driver, William J. Kochel, 35, of Key West, Fla., was arrested and taken into custody. He was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal damage to state supported property, driving while license revoked, reckless driving, disobeying a traffic control device (two counts), speeding and improper lane usage.

Kochel is lodged in the Pike County Jail. The Illinois State Police assisted with the investigation.