Suspect in officer’s murder has been wanted here since Christmas for Bloomington home break-ins, high-speed chase

 

FLOYD BROWN BPD
Floyd Brown, arrested after a stand-off on I-55 in Logan County, was wanted in McLean County for residential burglary and reckless driving. Thursday morning, Brown allegedly shot-to-death a McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy who was trying to arrest him at a Rockford hotel. (Bloomington Police Department photos)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Suspected cop killer Floyd Brown, who’s now in police custody, was not a stranger to local authorities. Bloomington Police have been looking for Brown, 39, of Springfield, since just before Christmas when he led officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a multi-car crash on Veterans Parkway.

Police said at the time they were investigating a series of burglaries on the city’s east and southeast side, and Brown had been linked to a December 23 home break-in in the 3200 block of Dorset Court.

Police said they started chasing Brown in the 900 block of Arcadia Drive where Brown allegedly drove off in a black Dodge Charger.

Police lost contact with Brown because he was driving without headlights.

Brown reportedly turned on Veterans Parkway off East Oakland Avenue and crashed into several cars at Veterans and G.E. Road.

No one suffered life-threatening injuries, but Brown ran from the scene.

Only about three weeks ago, Bloomington Police put out a statement asking the public for tips to help find Brown, who’s charged in a McLean County warrant for reckless driving and three counts of residential burglary.

Bloomington and Normal PD, along with McLean County Sheriff’s deputies assisted State Police troopers in trying to arrest Brown for fatally shooting McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Keltner, who served on a U.S. Marshal’s task force attempting to capture Brown Thursday morning at a Rockford hotel.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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