HARPER IN COURT

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Reports out of neighboring Wabash County indicate that preliminary hearing has been set for the southern Illinois man who lead area authorities on a multi-county chase and manhunt which ended with his arrest here in Lawrence County. 27 year old Ashton Harper of Mt Vernon made an initial appearance in Wabash County Circuit Court. He is charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle along with Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding Police and other offenses in the Monday June 14th incident. The pursuit of Harper in a stolen vehicle began in White County and led through parts of Edwards and Wabash before Harper was captured in southern Lawrence County. During the court proceeding, Harper was advised on the nature of the charges and penalties lodged against him and a public defender was appointed to represent him in court.  Preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday July 13th. Afterward, Harper was remanded back into the custody of the Wabash County Sheriffs Department.