LAWRENCE COUNTY, IL — A massive manhunt in Southern Illinois has led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Mt. Vernon man. Illinois State Police sent out an officer safety bulletin shortly before 5 p.m. Monday referencing a stolen vehicle and aggravated battery with a firearm in White County. At the time, the subject was believed to be armed with a shotgun. The subject’s vehicle was spotted by Mt Carmel Police, who attempted a traffic stop. Police say Ashton T. Harper, 27, of Mt Vernon, then reportedly led them on a chase through several fields and tree lines before stopping in a shed and then fleeing on foot.

Officers lost sight of Harper during the foot pursuit and a manhunt ensued. Harper was eventually found in Lawrence County and taken into custody just after 9 p.m. Harper was wanted on a warrant out of Wayne County for a stolen vehicle, as well as traffic charges in Mt. Carmel related to this incident. He was sentenced in 2019 in Jefferson County Court to 4-years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a Class 2 felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

He is currently held in the Wabash County Jail.