CLINTON COUNTY, IL — The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department is reporting the arrest of a 34-year-old St. Louis man this week on drug and weapons charges following a high-speed pursuit from an attempted traffic stop.

According to the sheriff’s department, bond was set at $100,000 for Randall J. Jones who was formally charged Thursday in Clinton County Court with Class X felony armed violence, two Class 3 felony counts for being a felon in possession of a firearm, two Class 4 felonies for aggravated fleeing police and one for possessing a controlled substance, as well as misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, driving while license suspended and speeding more than 35 mph over the speed limit. Jones was also issued multiple traffic citations.

Police reports say just before 9 p.m. Monday, a deputy from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop on New U.S. Highway 50 near Russland Road for a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, the deputy observed a handgun in plain view on the passenger side seat. The driver, initially complied with the deputy, but that quickly changed when Jones sped away from the stop nearly striking the deputy. Jones fled west on New U.S. Highway 50 at a high rate of speed. The deputy was able to catch up to Jones soon enough to see him exit northbound onto Illinois Route 160 near Trenton. The pursuit continued north on Route 160 until Jones lost control of his vehicle and crashed near Hoyt-Monken Road, just inside of Madison County.

Jones was ordered from his vehicle and he surrendered without further incident. During a search of Jones’ person The deputy located two bags of a controlled substance which later tested positive as cocaine. During the inventory search of the suspect vehicle a loaded .40 caliber handgun was located on the passenger side floorboard.

Jones was transported to the Clinton County Jail and held on multiple felonies.