A 45-year-old Patoka man escaped from the Centralia Police holding cell after being arrested following a lengthy pursuit, but officers later took him back into custody after locating him on a Centralia street.
John Barlatier of East Bond was then transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held for aggravated fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest, aggravated DUI, reckless driving, criminal damage to state-supported property, and felony escape.
In a news release, Centralia Police said the series of incidents began when officers received multiple 911 calls about a reckless driver in a southbound pickup on U.S. 51 headed toward Centralia.
Officers initially checked the area but couldn’t locate the vehicle. Shortly after, the Centralia Police Department received additional 911 calls reporting a vehicle matching the same description.
Centralia officers later located the silver Ford F-150 and observed the driver operating it at high speed, forcing other motorists off the roadway and driving recklessly through downtown Centralia.
Further information indicated that the vehicle matched the description of one involved in a previous pursuit by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, as well as a similar pursuit in Clinton County within the preceding six days. The Centralia Police Department also had seven documented incidents involving complaints of reckless driving associated with this vehicle.
Based on the driver’s actions, the repeated reports of dangerous driving, and the immediate threat posed to the motoring public, Centralia Police Department officers determined that continuing the pursuit was necessary to protect public safety.
Officers pursued the vehicle northbound on U.S. Highway 51 through Central City and Sandoval. The pursuit ultimately ended when the driver pulled into a residence in Patoka, where he was taken into custody without incident.
The man, who was identified as Barlatier, was taken to the Centralia Police Department and later SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for investigation of alleged driving under the influence.
After returning to the Centralia Police Department, officers secured Barlatier in a holding cell. While in custody, Barlatier bent part of the upper holding cell structure and escaped the facility.
Centralia Police Department command staff was immediately notified, and additional law enforcement resources were requested. The Marion County Sheriff’s Department and Central City Police Department assisted in the search. Both Centralia Police Department K-9 units were deployed, and officers initiated a successful track from the police department. Additionally, the department released information about the escape on social media to enlist the public’s help in locating Barlatier.
About three hours after his escape, Barlatier was located at Third and Walnut and taken back into custody through the combined efforts of the Centralia Police Department’s K-9 units, a Marion County Sheriff’s Department deputy, and members of the public.
An internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the escape from the Centralia Police Department’s holding facility, is already underway.
The Centralia Police Department thanks the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Central City Police Department, and members of the public who helped bring this incident to a safe conclusion.
The Centralia Police Department remains committed to protecting the safety of our community and maintaining accountability in all aspects of our operations.
