Two people arrested following drug bust in Illinois

ILLINOIS — Two people were arrested after authorities discovered heroin, cocaine, and other illegal items in a car abandoned following a crash on Interstate 72.

Pike County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 10:36 p.m. Friday to a single-vehicle crash on the eastbound lanes. When deputies arrived, no one was at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a man and a woman near the crash site, who declined assistance.

During an inventory of the vehicle prior to towing, deputies found crack cocaine, heroin, other controlled substances, used hypodermic syringes, and drug-related paraphernalia.

The following day, a resident reported that two individuals came to their home claiming they had been left on the road. Deputies, with help from residents and Pike County Crimestoppers, arrested the two on Sunday.

Authorities identified the suspects as Matthew G. Lawrence, 40, and Jessica K. Pope, 28, both of Champaign. Lawrence faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance, along with outstanding warrants from Douglas and Peoria counties. Pope is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both were reportedly in possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia at the time of their arrest. A petition has been filed to deny pre-trial release, with a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.