Springfield, Illinois – On April 26th, 2021, at approximately 6:35 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Durango in the 1700 block of east Edwards Street. As the officers exited their patrol vehicle to make contact with the occupants, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. Officers located the Dodge parked behind a residence in the 1500 block of east Jackson Street approximately 25 minutes after the original traffic stop.

The officers observed a subject who matched the description of the driver from the Dodge Durango enter a Ford Escape which was parked on the street at this location. The officers made contact with the occupants and were able to identify Lamont Butler, male 29 years old, as the subject who was seen driving the Dodge Durango. When the officers had Butler exit the vehicle to place him under arrest they observed a loaded FEG P9R 9mm handgun in the vehicle. Further search of the vehicle revealed a Phoenix Arms HP22 pistol under the driver’s seat. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jerry Nix, male 29 years old. Both subjects were arrested at the scene without further incident.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright charged Butler with Armed Habitual Criminal, unlawful possession of a weapon by felon, possession of weapon – no FOID, and aggravated fleeing and eluding. His Bond was set at $200,000.00. Nix was charged with armed habitual criminal, unlawful possession of a weapon by felon, possession of firearm- no FOID, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. His bond was also set at $200,000.00.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at 217.788.8311 and/or Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217.788.8427.