Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria says he is confused and frustrated after a man who allegedly pointed a gun at a Peoria police officer was released from custody with electronic monitoring.
Brian Childers, 45, of Leighton, Alabama, was arrested Monday after allegedly fleeing police.
Echevarria said police attempted to pull Childers over around 5 a.m. Monday at Starr and Western, but he drove away. The reason for the attempted traffic stop isn't known.
Police did not pursue, and found the vehicle in the 600 block of South Western later that morning. The chief said when officers attempted to make Childers exit the vehicle, he pointed a gun at the officers and fled the scene again at high speed. He eventually was arrested in East Peoria without further incident.
Echevarria said there was no gunfire exchanged between Childers and Peoria police.
Childers is charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon , resisting arrest, and possession of methamphetamine and traffic violations.
Court documents show the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office filed a petition to deny Childers pretrial release, but he was freed with electronic monitoring. Judges have limited leeway for ordering pretrial detention under the law.
Echevarria said he is confused by what the standard to detain is, and feels that Childers should have been kept in custody. He said that the state’s attorney’s office is appealing the decision.
