Janesville police still seeking suspect in chase

JANESVILLE — A man who led police on a high-speed chase Sunday in Janesville remains at large.

Police received reports Sunday that Edwin R. Rivas, 19, was wanted by Beloit police for a possible abduction and on a felony warrant from Illinois.

Rivas, who has addresses listed both in Beloit and Rockford, Ill., had picked up a woman he knew in Beloit but had not abducted her, police later learned.

An officer spotted Rivas’ vehicle at the Davis Citgo at the corner of Main and Racine streets shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday and called for reinforcements.

With several squad cars to back him up, the officer pulled up behind Rivas at the station and activated his emergency lights.

Rivas’ car accelerated at high speed, turning west onto Racine Street, according to police reports. A Rock County deputy led the chase with several Janesville squads and another deputy following, reports said.

Officers reported seeing the car crossing into the oncoming lane to avoid traffic. The car then ran a red light at the intersection of Racine Street and Center Avenue, where it hit a Janesville woman’s car, causing minor damage.

The fleeing car turned south on Center and had disappeared by the time the deputy got to the intersection. Officers searched the area but could not find Rivas.

The suspect’s car, a black 1998 Oldsmobile four-door, was found Monday morning in the 1300 block of Jerome Avenue on the city’s south side.

Police plan to ask the district attorney to issue a warrant for Rivas’ arrest, police said.