Multiple local law enforcement agencies were involved in a vehicle pursuit late Saturday morning in Waterloo that resulted in an injured officer and a woman’s arrest.

Shortly after 11:20 a.m., a Monroe County Sheriff’s Department deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation near the intersection of North Market Street and Route 3 in Waterloo. Upon activation of emergency lights, this vehicle failed to yield and began passing several other vehicles in a designated turn lane.

Per an MCSD press release, the suspect vehicle came to a brief stop near Covington Drive and North Market Street. As the deputy exited the patrol vehicle and approached, the driver accelerated, driving away and turning into the O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot before fleeing eastbound on Covington Drive toward Rogers Street.

The MCSD said that a Waterloo Police Department officer was injured during the course of the pursuit and transported to a local hospital.

“Although the injuries are not life-threatening, they are significant and will require surgical treatment,” MCSD Sgt. Justin Biggs said.

Biggs explained this officer’s injury occurred after the suspect stopped a second time and then accelerated at a high speed.

“The Waterloo officer was attempting to open the door and as a result, the door handle broke from the vehicle and was in the officer’s hand as she took off,” Biggs said. “The officer suffered an arm injury.”  

The WPD officer injured in the incident is Rahman Salama.

The suspect vehicle continued to flee from pursuing deputies and officers, committing multiple traffic violations throughout the area. The vehicle traveled through the Schnucks parking lot in Waterloo before ultimately proceeding northbound on Route 3.

Law enforcement deployed spike strips, which were successful in deflating the suspect vehicle’s tires. Officers were then able to safely stop the vehicle and the driver was taken into custody without further incident.

On Monday, Madeline E. Anton, 27, of Cahokia Heights, was charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude police and resisting a police officer (causing injury). Both are felonies.

Anton remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail.