INA/SALEM, IL — A 58-year-old Salem man was arrested Sunday night following a police pursuit that started in response to a “road rage” report near Ina and ended on Mills Cart Road in Salem. An Ina officer began the pursuit of a pick up truck that turned out to be stolen, where the driver, Earl Morlan, was attempting to ram other vehicles head-on.

The pursuit continued onto northbound Route 37 with speeds reaching more than 100 miles per hour. Once the pursuit reached Marion County, a Marion County Sheriff’s squad car was apparently struck by the truck that Marion County officials believe Morlan had taken and never returned during a Saturday test drive from Kinmundy. Spike strips were deployed and one tire on the truck began to lose air. Deputies and officers continued the pursuit onto westbound U.S. Highway 50, before the tire was finally lost and the truck stopped near Landers Collision Center on Mills Cart Road.

Morlan was taken into custody and to the Marion County Jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving on a revoked license, improper lane usage and a felony retail theft charge filed by Central City Police. Officials there say Morlan had shown up to the Phillips 66 and attempted to buy cigarettes and gas but had his card declined. Morlan left his ID behind and said he would return with cash, before being involved in the aforementioned police pursuit.

Reports say Morlan hadn’t returned the truck from the test drive where he left another car at that residence that was reported stolen from a home on Mills Cart Road in Salem.