MOUNT VERNON — A Tuesday night traffic stop by Mt. Vernon police resulted in the arrests of two men on firearms and resisting arrest charges.
According to police, they arrested 23-year-old Kyler Smith, and 23-year-old Chalar Taylor, both of Mt. Vernon. Police reports say that around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, a Mt. Vernon police officer stopped a vehicle with three occupants at 21st and Conger in Mt. Vernon.
The driver was found to have a suspended Illinois driver’s license and as the driver was being taken into custody the two passengers – Smith and Taylor — fled the vehicle on foot, with Taylor striking an officer as he fled.
Taylor and Smith but both were quickly apprehended after brief foot pursuits and were allegedly found in possession of handguns stolen in earlier Mt Vernon burglaries.
Both men were taken to the Jefferson County jail, on charges for Smith of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest.
Taylor was arrested on charges of alleged aggravated battery of a police officer, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and felony resisting arrest.