Manhunt

The Whiteside County Emergency Response Team walk around a home on Second St. in Sterling on Thursday, looking for Nicholas T. Sheley, 28. (Chris Padgett/photo)

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STERLING - A Sterling man wanted for questioning in a homicide and slated for arrest in an alleged home invasion led police on a chase in a stolen Lincoln before eluding them late Thursday. Nicholas T. Sheley, 28, a longtime local criminal who 2 years ago was involved in the murder of a Rock Falls man, is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, Whiteside County Sheriff's Department said in a press release. Russell R. Reed, 93, of 16664 Blue Goose Road, was found Thursday in the trunk of his 2003 Buick Century. Both Reed and his car had been missing for several days. According to the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office, Sheley is considered a person of interest in Reed's death. All available officers were trying to hunt down Sheley early this morning, and no spokesmen were available. A news release faxed from the department at 4 a.m. asked for the public's help in finding Sheley, and provided his description. A second release shortly before 8 a.m. linked Sheley to Reed's death. He is believed to be traveling in a red Jeep Cherokee, license plate 820-1126, stolen from the 400 block of Van Petten Road in Lee County, police said. Earlier Thursday evening, Sterling Police Lt. Doug Fargher said Sheley stole a 1999 white Lincoln Continental and fled town. Thursday afternoon, the Whiteside County Emergency Response Team entered two west side Sterling homes looking for Sheley. He was not in the house in the 1700 block of Griswold Avenue or in the one at Second Street and Sixth Avenue. They called off the search on Second Street about 6 p.m. Sheley was spotted by police in the white 1999 Lincoln Continental. Shortly after, the owner reported it stolen, Fargher said. Sheley was out on bond in a 2007 alleged home invasion when police identified him as a suspect in another they say occurred about 8 p.m. June 14 in Sterling. According to Fargher, Sheley pushed his way into the home of a 90-year-old woman, forced her to write checks and took some cash. When police couldn't find him, they issued a warrant Monday for his arrest. Bond in that case is $750,000. Staff writer Tara Becker and Assistant Managing Editor Kathleen Schultz contributed to this article.