Police use tracker to catch fleeing car, recover crack cocaine

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Police officers used a launcher to attach a magnetic tracker to a vehicle that was part of a drug investigation, and ultimately arrested two men and recovered 28 grams of crack cocaine.

Rockford Police said the incident happened around 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th, when officers with the Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team attempted to stop a car driven by Arsenio Purifoy, 35.

Police said Purifoy tried to escape by accelerating, so officers used the StarChase system to deploy a tracker on the vehicle.

Investigators were able to track the car to W. State and Independence, where officers were able to make an arrest.

Purifoy was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude along with other traffic offenses.

His passenger, Terrick Mackey, 37, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Both men were booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing.