Two suspects were arrested after a police pursuit through Crystal Lake that resulted in deputies finding approximately five kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated $125,000.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop around 1 p.m. Tuesday.
The stop was on a vehicle driven by Carlos J. Cartagena, 33, of Chicago, near Pyott Road and Virginia Road in Crystal Lake.
Cartagena refused to stop and fled from sheriff’s deputies, according to a criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court.
Cartagena accelerated and increased his speed in order to flee, the complaint said.
The complaint said Cartagena operated his vehicle with a “willful and wanton disregard” for the safety of others.
Speeds of the pursuit were reported to be 85 mph as the pursuit went southbound on James R. Rakow Road and passed Ackman Road, according to police radio traffic.
The chase entered into Lake in the Hills southbound on Randall Road and was terminated after it passed Polaris Drive.
Cartagena and a second suspect, 27-year-old Destinee Rodriguez, were later arrested by deputies.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Porfirio Campos-Cruz said deputies seized approximately five kilograms of cocaine following the incident.
McHenry County prosecutors have valued a kilogram of cocaine at $25,000, meaning the estimated value of the drugs is approximately $125,000.
Cartagena was charged with two counts of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing to elude a police officer and reckless driving. The most serious charges are Class X felonies.
Rodriguez was also charged with a Class X felony for manufacturing or delivery of cocaine over 900 grams as well as additional charges, which were not immediately known.
Rodriguez’s court case was impounded from the public by a McHenry County judge, who released her from custody after prosecutors sought to have her detained pending trial.
A judge ordered Cartagena detained pending trial. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday.