Published on February 23, 2026 1:16 pm
Last Updated on February 24, 2026 7:08 am
Local authorities have apprehended two individuals who were in a vehicle pursuit.
The suspects were being pursued on the interstate when they exited at the Keller Drive interchange. The suspect vehicle collided with another vehicle at Keller Drive and Marguerite Lane. The suspects then fled the vehicle on foot.
Local police used drones and tracking dogs to locate the suspects.
In custody are 22-year-old Manuel F. Cardenas Vargas of Woodside, New York and 19-year-old Joendrix E. Gaduan of Denver, Colorado, each on counts of theft and possession of burglary tools.
Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis said the pair were taken into custody in the parking lot at Wal-Mart about 1:45pm with bicycles that were apparently stolen. Davis said that his department worked with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police in successfully completing the investigation. Secretary of State police also assisted, and Effingham Fire Department provided drone assistance.
There are reports that the suspect vehicle was being pursued by a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office squad car when it exited the interstate.
