SULLIVAN - Sullivan police staged a massive manhunt Monday night for a Moultrie County man accused of car theft and attempting to run down Police Chief John Love.

"I saw the suspect this evening and he saw me" Love said. "We had been looking for the car all day after getting word that it was stolen in Christian County."

Love said he responded, in a personal vehicle, to a report the stolen car had been located in the Jerry's IGA parking lot. Love said he attempted to approach the vehicle after other officers arrived.

It was at this point the suspect backed the stolen vehicle into a Sullivan police car, struck Love's car and then hit Love.

"I'm experienced so I knew to get out of the way and he barely hit me," Love said.

Police officers fired at the suspect who drove away and eventually abandoned the car in a corn field on Sullivan's west side.

Authorities used a thermal imaging camera atop a fire department ladder truck, police dogs and a helicopter in an attempt to locate the suspect.

and heavily armed officers from Moultrie, Shelby and Douglas counties Taking part in the search was officers from Moultrie, Shelby and Douglas counties, Windsor and Findlay police, conservation police and the Illinois State Police.

The search was ongoing at press time.

sharonhrnews@yahoo.com