CASEYVILLE – Charges were filed Friday, May 8, 2026, against a Missouri man after Caseyville Police said he fled from officers during a traffic stop tied to a reported order-of-protection violation, leading authorities on a 24-minute pursuit that ended on Interstate 270 near the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois.
Ramon L. Chillers, 44, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated battery, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing police, criminal damage to government property, resisting or obstructing an officer, driving while license revoked and leaving the scene of an accident, according to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“The dedication shown by Detective Howell, Detective Sergeant Reel, and Sergeant Hoguet — who returned to the scene to locate and recover the discarded firearm — is commendable,” the Caseyville Police Department said, adding that “MEATTF/Caseyville Officer Fernandez also helped a tremendous amount with this case and helping with the issuing of charges.”
Police said the incident began at about 12:04 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when Sgt. Hoguet and Chief Hall responded to Illinois Central School Bus at 8203 Bunkum Road in Caseyville for “a possible violation of an order of protection in progress.” The caller reported that a white truck was parked on the shoulder of Bunkum Road in front of the business and was believed to be occupied by an employee’s ex-boyfriend, police said.
When officers arrived, Sgt. Hoguet positioned his patrol vehicle behind the truck, which “immediately fled the scene, failing to yield to emergency lights and sirens,” police said. Multiple agencies assisted in the pursuit, including Illinois State Police Air Operations, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, Washington Park Police Department, East St. Louis Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and Pontoon Beach Police Department.
Police said the Madison County Sheriff’s Department deployed stop sticks, deflating the front left tire of the suspect vehicle. During the pursuit, the suspect struck two police vehicles and three civilian vehicles on I-270. “Thankfully, no injuries or major damage were reported,” the Caseyville Police Department said.
The pursuit ended when the truck came to rest on I-270 just east of the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois, police said. Authorities said the driver, later identified as Chillers, ran into the woods and tried to hide by submerging himself in water near the shoreline. Police said he was located, tased, and taken into custody.
On May 7, 2026, after reviewing Illinois State Police Air Operations footage, Detective Howell, Detective Sgt. Reel and Sgt. Hoguet returned to the area where Chillers was apprehended and found a firearm submerged underwater about 40 yards from where he was taken into custody, police said. Police said both the firearm and the truck driven by Chillers had been reported stolen out of Missouri.
“All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the department said.
