COLES COUNTY, Illinois –A Kansas Amber Alert suspect is in custody and police in Illinois released new details on the capture of 32-year-old Christopher K. Barnshaw.
Just after noon Tuesday, police in Mattoon, Illinois, were notified that a suspect in a kidnapping incident in Topeka was possibly in their city, according to a media release from police.
Police in Topeka reported that Barshaw was believed to be a suspect in the death of a man and woman the 500 Block of NE Wabash in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Daniel Garrett. Barnshaw was also believed to have taken a child of one of the victims and fled the area. He was reported to be driving a Lexus passenger vehicle bearing Kansas License 4003AHF.
At 12:16p.m. a police officer in Mattoon, who was actively on a traffic stop on Route 16 observed the suspect vehicle pass him. The officer cleared from the traffic stop and began following the suspect in the Lexus eastboun toward Charleston, Illinois. After several other officers arrived in the area, they conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at the intersection of Route 16 and Beechtree Road. Barnshaw was take into custody without incident.
During the arrest, officers found a firearm concealed on Barnshaw. The 2-year-old boy who the subject of the Amber Alert was in the back seat unharmed.
Barnshaw is being held in the Coles County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Kidnapping and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Mattoon Police are working with Topeka Police. Barshaw could face additional charges. Arrangements are being made to reunite the child with a family member.