High Speed Pursuit Leads to Arrest and Felony Charges in Fairbury

A Fairbury man has been charged with multiple felonies, including possession of a weapon, drugs and flight to avoid arrest. Robert L. Jones, age 41, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court via Zoom from the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge. Jones is charged with eight counts:Possession of a deadly weapon (a knife) by a prohibited person, a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison, nine months to two years post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine;Possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine;Possession of high-concentrate THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), also a class 4 felony;Operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, also a class 4 felony;Reckless driving, a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine;Driving under a suspended license, also a class 3 misdemeanor;Possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction; andPossession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. After the first charge was read, Jones announced, “Yeah, I'll be taking that to court.”Jones' attorney, Public Defender Scott Gropp, advised his client to remain silent. On August 8, 2024, at approximately 9:43 p.m. a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was heading westbound near the intersection of 7th and C Streets in Fairbury and, according to the arrest affidavit, “While the car began turning, my patrol vehicle headlights illuminated the driver, whom I identified as Robert Jones. I knew Jones's Nebraska driving privilege to be expired, suspended, and revoked. I conducted a U-turn in the intersection and got behind the vehicle. At this time, I visually determined Jones's speed to be increasing at a high rate. Jones proceeded to turn northbound on D Street I activated my siren and emergency overhead lights at the 7th and D Street intersection. While behind the vehicle I contacted the Jefferson County Dispatch and advised I was in pursuit of a vehicle operated by Robert Jones.” After a pursuit at speeds reportedly reaching up to 70 miles per hour, Jones was eventually apprehended after he stopped his vehicle and fled on foot.The deputy that filled out the affidavit wrote, “During a search incident to arrest of Jones person, I located a white wrapper with a waxlike substance. The substance emitted an odor consistent with what I know from my training and experience to be marijuana.” A search of the suspect's vehicle also reportedly uncovered a syringe in the driver's sun visor.In court, the defendant was originally held on a $50,000 (10 percent) bond. His attorney, Public Defender Scott Gropp, asked for a reduction of the bond to $10,000 (10 percent). Jones then asked the court for a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond, “I've never not showed up for court.”County attorney Joseph Casson opposed any bond reduction. Judge Bauer said a PR bond was not appropriate but agreed to reduce the bond to $25,000 (10 percent).Another hearing is scheduled for September 16.

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