Two suspects were arrested Wednesday in Pekin after an incident involving multiple law enforcement agencies, armored vehicles and the evacuation of nearby residences and businesses, according to police.
Tyler J. Whitney and Ryan M. Brown were taken into custody and arrested on drug and weapons charges, Pekin police chief Seth Ranney said in a release.
During a search of the residence in the 1800 block of Court Street, police also say several pounds of a possible explosive were located, along with suspected detonation devices, additional methamphetamine, an additional handgun that had been defaced and several stolen items.
A Pekin Police Department criminal investigation led to the application and acceptance of a warrant to search the residence for explosive materials, firearms and illegal narcotics. Pekin police requested assistance from Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT) and the Peoria Police Department Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD). Working with several agencies, including the Pekin Fire Department, police established homes and businesses in the area that needed to be evacuated.
Members of the CIERT team utilized armored vehicles and while they were setting up outside the location, a male later identified as Whitney came out of the residence. He was detained without incident and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, police said.
After Whitney was transported from the scene, CIERT Team members made announcements via loudspeaker advising all occupants to exit the residence. A male identified as Brown then exited with a bag around his torso and was detained without incident. EOD members searched the bag and located a loaded handgun.
Whitney has been charged with armed violence, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of a defaced firearm. Brown was arrested for armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of stolen property.
No officers or bystanders injured in this incident, police said. One suspect received medical attention at a local hospital.
Pekin police said speculation that nearby businesses were “robbed or otherwise involved in this incident,” was “not accurate.” They were asked to vacate for their safety, police said.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin police arrest two after search turns up explosives, weapons and drugs
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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