Man wanted for assault on Rockford’s west side apprehended after 3 hour search

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Vernon Smith, 44, after he eluded a perimeter search to find him Friday night, as part of a domestic violence investigation.

According to the charging documents, around 8:47 p.m., Smith began “tearing things up” at a female acquaintance’s house on Albert Avenue, destroying a television set and displaying a gun, before leaving the home on a bicycle 5 minutes later.

A Rockford Police sergeant spotted Smith riding north on Sunset, near Andrews Park, at which point Smith did a U-turn and headed west on Arthur Avenue, court records show.

Police said Smith hit a curb just east of Shelly Drive and fell off his bike, running up a grass embankment toward the houses.

Another officer who arrived at the scene to assist with the perimeter search found a loaded 9mm weapon where Smith crashed his bike, according to the criminal complaint. The gun was later revealed to be stolen.

Smith was ultimately located nearly three hours later, at 11:41 p.m., in the 800 block of Cunningham Street, over 2 miles away.

He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, no valid Firearm Owners’ Identification, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and criminal damage to property.

Smith was previously convicted of armed robbery in 2016.