Man rams two Harrisburg squad cars during pursuit, faces multiple charges

HARRISBURG - A Harrisburg man faces multiple charges following a police pursuit that ended when the man rammed two Harrisburg police cars.

According to a Harrisburg Police Department news release, officers stopped Ian G. Hamilton, 25, driving a gray Dodge Charger, at about 10:41 p.m. Wednesday in the 1100 block of South McKinley Street, citing a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Though initially stopping, Hamilton then fled the scene, according to the news release.

Officers pursued Hamilton to the 0 block of West Ogara Street, where, according to police, Hamilton rammed two police vehicles, causing significant damage and ending the vehicular pursuit. Hamilton then left the scene on foot, with officers following.

Interim Police Chief Michael Riden said officers were in both vehicles at the time, but were not hurt.

"We were very fortunate they were not injured," Riden said.

After a short pursuit, officers stopped Hamilton at the 600 block of South Jackson Street and took him into custody, according to the release.

The release also said officers searched the vehicle Hamilton was driving and found a loaded Glock 43 semi-automatic handgun, 1,300 grams of cannabis, digital scales, an undetermined amount of 9 mm ammunition and $2,800 in cash.

Hamilton was wanted on an active Saline County warrant for violation of probation, police said, and was serving probation for a 2017 aggravated robbery conviction.

Hamilton was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, aggravated fleeing to elude police, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, armed habitual criminal and two counts of aggravated battery. He was taken to the Saline County Detention Center.

The Saline County Sheriff's Office and the Eldorado Police Department assisted in the investigation, according to the news release.