Two Illinois Men Cause Chaos on Rockford Streets, Guns and Drugs

A traffic stop in Rockford on Tuesday night (6/25) turned into a multiple-car police chase and chaos down several streets.

According to the report from the Rockford Police Department, officers from the Rockford Police SCOPE team attempted to pull over a vehicle near the Prospect and Rural intersection when it sped away.

Moments later Rockford Police caught up with the vehicle near 20th Street and Wesleyan and attempted to "disable the vehicle," according to the press release.

The vehicle eventually stopped near the 1700 block of Samuelson Road, and the driver of the car 31-year-old Leroy Sams fled the scene with Rockford Police SCOPE and Winnebago County Sheriffs Deputies in pursuit.

Sams then "entered the backseat of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction," reportedly driven by Martez Flint.

Flint's vehicle then struck the front of a SCOPE squad car as it attempted to flee the scene. The Winnebago County Sheriff's assisted Rockford Police in apprehending both Sams and Flint who are lodged in the Winnebago County Detention Center.

After reviewing the case, the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office has approved these charges against Leroy Sams and Martez Flint.

Leroy Sams, 31 of Rockford is facing charges of:

Armed Habitual Criminal
Armed Violence
Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon
Violation of the Controlled Substance Act
Aggravated Fleeing to Elude Revoked Driver’s License

Martez Flint, 30 from Loves Park is facing these charges:

Criminal Damage to State-Supported Property
Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon (vehicle)

Rockford PD also reminds us that the "charges are merely accusations and all individuals are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law."