JEFFERSON COUNTY — Two Mt. Vernon residents were arrested early Monday morning following a high-speed pursuit in a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

A Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy reportedly attempted a traffic stop on the silver 2009 Dodge Journey around 7:30 a.m. Monday east of Mt. Vernon. However, the 32-year-old driver, Ryan Keen failed to stop and instead fled east toward Bluford at speeds reaching more than 70-miles per hour.

The pursuit then wound through Bluford before Keen lost control of the vehicle at Bluford Road and Illinois Highway 15 where the Dodge slid off into an embankment and into a nearby yard.

Both Keen and his 30-year-old passenger Jamie L. Roberts exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers quickly apprehended them and they were taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

Keen was charged with Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Aggravated Fleeing and Attempting to Elude the Police, and various other traffic charges. His bail remains to be set by a judge.

Roberts was wanted on two Jefferson County warrants for Retail Theft and Failure to Appear on a Petition to Revoke Probation in an Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine case. Roberts’ bail has been set at $35,000.