MT. VERNON, IL — A Centralia man has been arrested after he attempted to flee a traffic stop in Mt. Vernon early Saturday morning. 35-year-old Centralia Anthony Barnes was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped just after midnight after an officer with the Mt. Vernon Police Department observed the vehicle commit traffic violations.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and removed the driver from the vehicle and began performing field sobriety testing to determine if the driver was driving under the influence. However, while the driver was undergoing a field sobriety test, Barnes allegedly entered the driver’s seat and attempted to flee the scene. A nearby backup officer prevented Barnes from escaping in the car, but then Barnes began battering the officer and fled on foot. He was caught after a brief foot pursuit.

The original driver was ticketed for driving under the influence.

Barnes, who allegedly refused to give his name, was found to have a loaded handgun, cannabis, and methamphetamine. He was taken to the Jefferson County Justice Center on charges of Aggravated battery to a Police Officer, Being a Felon in Possession/Use of a Firearm, Possession of 5-15 grams of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver in a Protected Zone, Armed Violence, and for Being an Armed Habitual Criminal.

Barnes is also being held on no-bond parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections.