2 Honduran Criminals Had 3 Kilos Of Fentanyl In Grundy Co: Sheriff

MORRIS — Two fentanyl dealers out of Honduras — 18-year-old Roybin Barahona, and his 23-year-old friend Cristhian Erazo Velasquez — remain in the Grundy County Jail following last week's wild sheriff's police chase that ended with the fiery crash of the criminals' car that contained 3 kilos of fentanyl inside, the sheriff's agency said.

According to Grundy County, deputies tried to make a traffic stop around 4 p.m. Thursday on a 2010 red Infiniti with suspended California license plate registration at Route 17 and Kankakee Road in southeastern Grundy County. The same vehicle fled the Illinois State Police on Interstate 80 more than two hours earlier, officials said.

In Grundy County, Barahona and Velaszquez sped up even faster and eventually, deputies managed to deploy stop sticks to blow out their tires, police said. Near Route 17 and 17000 West Road in Kankakee County, the car veered into a recently harvested corn field. Sheriff's deputies took out the fleeing car, and both suspects were captured after trying to run, officials said.

Meanwhile, the car went up in flames, as did the freshly cut cornstalks, prompting the Reddick Fire Department to respond and extinguish the fire. The car was deemed a total loss, according to police. However, Grundy County deputies say they searched the burned out car back at the tow yard and found 6.9 pounds of fentanyl in the rear compartment of the vehicle.

Through fingerprints, Grundy County identified men as Barahona, 18, and Velasquez, 23, both from Honduras. Barahona had gone missing from a teen ranch in California Valley.

Their criminal charges include controlled substances trafficking, obstructing justice, possession with intent to deliver more than 1,000 grams of fentanyl, resisting arrest.

On the Grundy County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, there were more than 100 comments posted from people reacting to the press release. Here's a sampling of the comments:

"As nice a job as these officers did, it is probably all for naught. The only solace to the finality is that the fentanyl is off the street!!" Stated Becky.

Commented Bud: "Open borders and this is what ya get. Just wait this is just the start."

"Keep those borders open and we see more of this!" wrote Kimie.

"Hopefully, they will get one-way tickets back to Honduras," declared Chris.

"Great job Grundy County Sheriff's Dept. Thank you for all you do to keep the residents of Grundy County safe," remarked Lynda.

"Great bust! Keep that stuff off the streets," wrote Brett.