Police Reports,  Community Policing Activities,

Court News,  Marriage Licenses,  Divorces,

Most Wanted,  Crime Stoppers

Law News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

[MARCH 11, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Several car accidents involving drunk drivers, two of them fatal accidents, have recently been attributed to a strip club in Kenney. The Wild Side Cabaret does not sell alcohol but allows people to bring their own and drink it on the premises. State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, has introduced legislation that would regulate such establishments. The legislation was approved unanimously by the House Cities and Villages Committee.

"Clearly, something needs to be done to control this activity," said Mitchell. "Customers are consuming far too much alcohol in this establishment, and people have been injured and killed as a result."

Ten DUI arrests have been tied to the Wild Side Cabaret recently. That represents nearly one-fifth of all DUI arrests in DeWitt County during that same period. There were six accidents tied to the club in both 2000 and 2001 and one so far this year. Dewitt County Sheriff Roger Massey says that it is time to take action.

"Enforcement of the law is clearly not enough in this case," said Massey, who joined Rep. Mitchell at a press conference Feb. 21 in Springfield. "We have increased patrols, and we have worked with the state police, but we must do something that will have a long-term impact."

This legislation would allow municipalities to regulate establishments not regulated under the liquor control act. This regulation would not apply to private homes or to businesses not defined as places of public accommodation.

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The two fatal accidents occurred within an hour of each other on a night in December. Another accident since then was nearly fatal. The drivers in these accidents had blood alcohol levels that were two and three times the legal limit.

Investigations have found that people from many areas of central Illinois travel to the Wild Side Cabaret. Oftentimes, they will consume alcohol at other establishments, then purchase alcohol on the way to the club, then drink in their car. Additionally, people have been found to drink more alcohol in the car after they leave the club.

"Since the club does not serve alcohol, there is no one to monitor how much people are drinking," said Mitchell. "Also, this club and others like it have no liability insurance, since they do not serve alcohol. This is a dangerous situation, and we must put a stop to it."

[News release]

[FEB. 19, 2002]  Joseph A. Schillaci, director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, has announced that the 11th Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Paul G. Lawrence as an associate judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit.

Lawrence received his undergraduate degree in 1982 from the University of Illinois in Urbana and his juris doctor degree in 1985 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. Lawrence is currently engaged in practice with Lawrence, Moore & Ogar in Bloomington.

Police Reports

Link to Illinois sex offender information provided by the Illinois State Police:

http://samnet.isp.state.il.us/ispso2/sex_offenders/index.asp

Searches available by city, county, ZIP code and name.

Community Policing Activities

[FEB. 25, 2002]  The Lincoln Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office advise residents of Lincoln and Logan County to be aware of home improvement and landscaping scams that target the elderly. Exploitation of the elderly is a serious crime, which results in thousands of dollars in losses and makes the victims feel as if they cannot have trust in others.

Common scams in this area involve roofing, blacktopping, tree trimming and various types of landscaping, including outside insect control. The Lincoln Police Department, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, local banks and the victims are currently working together in investigating several scams in this area.

Officers are advising residents to check into the person or business they are having do the work and to get estimates before agreeing to have any work done. Also a person can reduce the risk of being scammed by having all the work and prices outlined on a bill.

If you feel that you have been taken advantage of, contact the law enforcement agency in your area and make a report. These reports will be investigated, and the people involved in the scams will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[Timothy Butterfield, community policing officer]

Court News

Name, age, address; date, charge; sentence   

(week ending 3-15-02)

Alcohol charges

• Jay F. Moore, 18, 512 Willamette; 2-9-02, unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor; $300 fine plus court costs

• Male, 17, 703 Fifth St.; 1-19-02, unlawful consumption of alcohol; pleaded guilty, two months court supervision, $250 fine plus court costs

Armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping

• Boren R. Johnson, 29, 2810 State St., Bettendorf, Iowa; 7-13-00, armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping; found guilty, 17 years, Department of Corrections, three years mandatory supervised release

Burglary

• Jeffery H. Wade, 24, 1348 Airport Road; 3-14-01, residential burglary; pleaded guilty, six years Department of Corrections, $100 restitution

Deceptive practices

• Shirley M. Valentine, 24, 130 Sixth St., Illiopolis; 1-00, deceptive practices; pleaded guilty, 12 months court supervision, $100 fine plus court costs

Drug charges

• Michelle Quisenberry, 31, Lincoln Country Inn; 1-2-02, unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver; pleaded guilty, 30 months probation, 80 days Logan County Jail, $500 mandatory assessment, $100 lab fee

• Jackie L. Wright, 24, 1820 N.E. Monroe, Peoria; 7-4-99, unlawful possession of cannabis; pleaded guilty, $300 fine plus court costs, $200 mandatory assessment, $50 lab fee

Intimidation

• Randall Scott, 36; 8-1-01, intimidation; 3½ years Department of Corrections

Theft

• Jeffery H. Wade, 24, 1348 Airport Road; 1-18-02, theft over $300; pleaded guilty, two years Department of Corrections

Marriage Licenses

• Joshua D. Knowles, Congerville
  Ginger S. Becker, Congerville

• Ryan J. Donley, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Daphne M. Winegardner, Jupiter, Fla.

• Christopher R. Bradburn, Middletown
  Anita L. Mollett, Middletown

Divorces

(none posted for week ending 3-15-02)

• Almon J. Helton, Panama City, Fla.
  Melissa A. Helton, Lincoln

Most Wanted

Call (217) 732-4159 with any information.

Call (217) 732-4159 with any information.

ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE INCIDENTS OR ANY OTHER CRIME IN THE LINCOLN/LOGAN COUNTY AREA IS URGED TO CALL "CRIME STOPPERS" AT 732-3000 OR E-MAIL AT crime@ccaonline.com.  YOUR INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.  IF YOUR INFORMATION LEADS TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSON(S) INVOLVED, "CRIME STOPPERS" WILL PAY YOU A CASH REWARD UP TO $1,000.

"CRIME STOPPERS" HAS AN ANSWERING MACHINE TO ANSWER YOUR CALLS.  THIS IS TO PROTECT YOU IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS (YOUR CALLS CANNOT BE TRACED WITH THE MACHINE).  YOU NEED TO LET US KNOW HOW YOU CAN BE CONTACTED ABOUT THE INCIDENT, OR YOU MUST WATCH TO SEE IF THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED.  THIS IS SO WE CAN MAKE A PAYOUT.

Cases

• Sometime before 9:22 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2001, a Chevrolet Cavalier was taken without the owner’s permission from the 200 block of Latham Street in Lincoln. The vehicle was later found stuck in the mud at the Sportsman’s Club. Crime Stoppers is asking for information as to who had taken the vehicle.

• Sometime before 9:11 a.m. on July 21, a burglary occurred at Lincoln Junior High School, 208 Broadway St. in Lincoln. Unknown person(s) broke a window on the third floor and gained access to the building. Unknown person(s) went through the school and caused damage and vandalism to the school property.

• Late Sunday night and early Monday morning, March 18 and 19, someone stole items from five different Lincoln vehicles.
  The first vehicle was parked at a residence on the 1800 block of Pekin. A $175 radar detector was taken from the car.
  In one of the Lincoln Christian College parking lots, change was stolen from an automobile.
  On the 200 block of Mayfield, several items totaling $75 were stolen from a car parked at the owner’s residence: a book binder, school books, homework, a calculator, a learner's permit and some change.
  The next vehicle was parked inside a garage on the 900 block of N. McLean. The owner remembers locking the garage door. A portable CD player, which is worth about $100, was taken from the vehicle.
  The last theft was from a car parked at the owner’s residence. A $50 AM/FM CD player was stolen.
  There are no suspects at this time, but due to the timing of the crimes it is believed that they may be connected. If you have any information about these thefts, please contact the Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151, or Crime Stoppers at 732-3000.

• A series of thefts in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 15, is under investigation. There are no suspects yet, but police believe that one person or group is responsible for all of the crimes. 

  The first vehicle, a pickup truck, parked at the owner’s residence in the 500 block of Tremont, was entered through the rear sliding door. It is estimated that $400 worth of property was stolen: a radio, duffle bag, four clothing items, prescription sunglasses, two flashlights and a disposable camera.

  The second vehicle had an AM/FM CD player stolen. To gain entry, the suspects forced entry to the side door of the ’93 Jeep, which was parked in front of the owner’s residence in the 300 block of Tremont. The radio is worth about $100.

  Two cars were broken into in a residential parking lot on the 100 block of S. Logan St. One vehicle, a truck, had a CD player removed; the suspects removed the dash cover to take the $200 unit.

  The other vehicle, a van, had a radar detector removed. The detector is worth about $100.

  If you have any information about these crimes, please contact the Lincoln Police Department at 732-2151 or Crime Stoppers at 732-3000.

• On Feb. 19, 2001, between 6 and 8:15 p.m. unknown person(s) placed an unknown substance on a 1999 Cadillac parked at the Mount Pulaski grade school. The grade school is located at 200 N. Garden Street in Mount Pulaski. The substance caused extensive damage to the paint on the vehicle. The Mount Pulaski Police Department, (217) 792-5018, and the Lincoln/Logan County Crime Stoppers are requesting anyone with any information to contact them.

• On Jan. 16, 2001, a possible arson occurred at 127 N. Kickapoo St. (the old Scully Building) in Lincoln. The possible arson was reported at approx. 7:12 p.m. on that date. Anyone with any information about this incident who may have seen anything or anyone in the area of the building is asked to contact the Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Fire Department or Crime Stoppers.

• On Jan. 12, 2001, sometime between 6  and 9 p.m., a burglary occurred on Mayfair Drive in Lincoln. Unknown person(s) forced open a garage door and entered the residence. Unknown person(s) looked through dresser drawers and a closet. Taken from the residence were several shotguns, a cellular phone and a camera.

• Sometime between Nov. 23 and Nov. 27, 2000, unknown person(s) entered a residence on the west side of Lincoln. Unknown person(s) forced entry to the residence and went through it. Several items of jewelry where taken, along with a laptop computer and an unknown amount of U.S. currency.

• Sometime between Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, 2000, unknown person(s) forced entry to the Plaza Wash and Lube at 2821 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. Unknown person(s) broke a window on a door on the east side of the building. Unknown person(s) entered the office area and took an assortment of U.S. currency and some product coupons. Estimated damage to the door was around $70.

Information on payouts

Total calls received:       241

Solved cases:                   45

Arrests made:                   60

Dollar amount of drugs and merchandise recovered:    $36,200.00

Dollar amount paid out for rewards:    $9,775.00

(2000 figures)

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