Columbia police are investigating the thefts of wheels and tires from two local auto dealerships.

On Dec. 18, officers responded to Royal Gate Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep in the 500 block of Admiral Weinel Boulevard to investigate the theft of wheels and tires from two vehicles. Upon their arrival, police located a 2017 Dodge Charger with all four wheels and tires missing. The officers also discovered in the used vehicles section of the lot a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 truck with four tires and wheels removed.  The theft occurred sometime after the close of business on Dec. 16 and before the dealership’s opening on Dec. 18, police said.

On Tuesday morning, police responded to Weber Chevrolet in the 700 block of Old State Route 3 to investigate the theft of four wheels and tires from a 2013 Mercedes. The theft occurred sometime after close of business on Saturday and before the dealership’s opening on Tuesday.

Police are asking anyone who may have observed suspicious activity at either dealership, or who has knowledge of someone possessing and attempting to sell the above-referenced vehicles’ wheels, to call 281-5151.

Pictured is one of the vehicles involved in the crash on Route 156 west of Waterloo. (Kermit Constantine photo)

Three people were injured in an early Friday morning crash just west of Waterloo.

Emergency personnel responded about 1:15 a.m. to a two-vehicle, head-on crash with injuries on Route 156.

A convertible Honda driven by a male westbound on Route 156 at Fountain Creek Ridge Lane just west of the Monroe County Fairgrounds crossed the center line and hit head-on a Ford Escape driven by a man in the eastbound lanes, according to an Illinois State Police crash report.

A female front seat passenger — a young Waterloo woman — in the Honda was airlifted from the scene in a Survival Flight medical helicopter and is in critical condition at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

The drivers of the Honda and Ford were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, according to ISP Trooper Doug Hays.

Route 156 was closed to traffic in both directions for a several hours as Illinois State Police investigated the crash and performed accident reconstruction.

Trooper Hays said investigators are still determining if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Check back for more information as it becomes available.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

Dec. 17

Terry G. Kirk, 64, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to provide information after striking a vehicle on Whiteside Street at Rapp Street.

Dec. 20

Danielle M. Lamora, 32, of Columbia, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (heroin), in connection with a March 2 arrest.

Patrick J. Cunningham, 27, of St. Louis, was arrested for aggravated DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, no insurance and driving while license revoked on I-255.

David J. Daubach, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery on North Main Street at Locust Street.

Dec. 21

Carey L. Burton, 29, of Granite City, was arrested for DUI, no insurance and speeding on North Main Street at Rueck Road.

Brian J. Zapf, 53, of St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

Fitzgerald A. Cooper, 22, of Centreville, was arrested for aggravated unlawful use of weapon (uncased and loaded 9 mm handgun), no insurance and speeding on I-255.

Waterloo Police

Dec. 17

A juvenile was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon and domestic battery in the 500 block of West Mill Street.

Dec. 19

Jacqeline Merkel, 19, of Millstadt, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on Route 3 at HH Road.

Firefighters work to contain a structure fire on Wallace Avenue at Columbia Road in Dupo on Saturday morning. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Multiple fire departments responded about 10:20 a.m. Saturday to a residential blaze with heavy smoke on Wallace Avenue at Columbia Road just a couple of blocks south of the Dupo fire station.

The Columbia, Cahokia and Prairie du Pont fire departments assisted Dupo at the scene. The fire appeared to have been contained to the front portion of the two-family home and was under control by about 11 a.m.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, but two families are displaced due to extensive damage throughout the building.

Kodi A. Lafore

A 22-year-old Waterloo man was charged in connection with the stabbing death of a Red Bud man Saturday night in Randolph County.

On Monday, Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker filed a one-count indictment charging Kodi A. Lafore, 22, of Waterloo, with involuntary manslaughter in the case.

Lafore was taken into custody by the Waterloo Police Department shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday on North Church Street in Waterloo.

The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Huntfield Road and Blackjack Road in rural Red Bud, Walker stated in a press release. The victim, Adam J. Sesto, 36, of Red Bud, was transported from the scene by a witness to Red Bud Regional Hospital, where he died from injuries due to a knife wound a short time later.

Bond has been set at $50,000 for Lafore, who remains in custody at the Randolph County Jail in Chester.

“We have been working this case almost non-stop since Saturday night. All witnesses to the events of Jan. 6 have been interviewed, some multiple times. At this time, we feel this is the most appropriate charge resulting from the events of that evening,” Walker stated in the press release.

Walker added that charges can always be enhanced or reduced at a later date, if appropriate.

“Given the information from cell phones, social media accounts, witness statements and the pathologist conducting the autopsy, involuntary manslaughter is the appropriate charge at this time,” he said. “We want to remind people cases are not tried on Facebook or other social media sites and what happened the night of Jan. 6 will ultimately be revealed in a court of law, at the appropriate time.”

Court information alleges that Lafore pulled a knife near the upper torso of Sesto in a reckless manner, thereby unintentionally killing him.

Involuntary manslaughter is a Class 3 felony with a prison sentence of between two and five years, if convicted.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police
Dec. 22
Madelyn J. Adams, 19, of Freeburg, was arrested for DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Dec. 26
Joseph W. Adkins, 39, of Columbia, was arrested at 2621 Columbia Lakes Drive on a Monroe County warrant for retail theft.

Dec. 29
Devon K. Sheprow, 32, of Columbia, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Meadow Ridge Lane.

Dec. 31
Ronnie O. Adamson, 33, of Granite City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant at 608 N. Main Street.

Monroe County Sheriff
Dec. 24
A possible burglary on Eagle Lake Drive is under investigation. A purse and a wallet were missing from the residence. There were no signs of forced entry.

Dec. 26
A resident of Red Oak Drive reported a possible case of identity theft, which is now under investigation.

Dec. 27
William J. Brown, 40, of St. Louis, was arrested on a petition to revoke probation on his original conviction for possession of methamphetamine.

Robert J. Diehl, 56, of Waterloo, was arrested for felony aggravated battery of an elderly person, domestic battery and battery following an evening incident in the 6000 block of Martini Road.

Dec. 29
William Belfield, 27, of Dupo, was arrested on Bluff Road at B Road for violating an order of protection.

Dec. 30
Roderick R. Kilhafner Jr., 27, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery and unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence on Bluff Road.

Jan. 1
David Mooney, 44, of Renault, was arrested for felony unlawful transmission of obscene messages following a domestic situation in the area of 5800 Maeystown Road.

Waterloo Police
Dec. 27
A 16-year-old Columbia male was arrested for DUI on East Mill Street at Bell Street.

Dec. 28
Cynthia Dori, 59, of Millstadt, was arrested for obstructing a police officer at BoBeck’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1324 Jamie Lane.

Stephen Cooper

A Millstadt man sustained fatal injuries in an ATV crash late Monday night in rural St. Clair County.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said Stephen R. Cooper Jr., 30, of Millstadt, died in the crash, which occurred about 11 p.m. in the area of 2700 Glauber Road between Millstadt and Dupo.

Police said Cooper and 27-year-old Tyler Dockins were riding ATVs on rural roads when the crash took place.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the accident.

Cooper worked as an auto technician with the United States Postal Service, his obituary states. His visitation is set for 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt.

For his full obituary, click here.

Pictured is the crash scene Wednesday evening in Columbia. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Emergency personnel responded just before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to a three-vehicle crash with injuries on Route 3 at Eagle Drive near Columbia Middle School.

The northbound lanes of Route 3 were temporarily closed to traffic as Columbia police, fire department and EMS personnel responded to the crash.

Police said a 2012 Buick Verano driven by Robert Bircher, 71, of Highland, was attempting to turn left into the middle school from southbound Route 3 when it collided with a 2012 Kia Soul driven by Amya Ayers, 16, of Dupo, which was traveling north on Route 3. A 2015 Jeep Renegade driven by Michelle Deatherage, 53, of Freeburg, was also traveling north on Route 3 and struck the other two vehicles shortly after the initial collision.

A passenger in Bircher’s car, 70-year-old Janet Bircher, was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Ayers was transported by ambulance to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Deatherage was also transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

Robert Bircher was cited for failure to yield (turning left) and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Wesley Tatom

Two people wanted in connection with a homicide over the weekend in Franklin County, Mo., were taken into custody early Monday morning in Waterloo. One man now stands charged with murder.

According to a press release, the Waterloo Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police began assisting the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with the homicide investigation on Sunday.

ISP contacted the suspects related to the homicide investigation in the 300 block of Morrison Avenue in Waterloo early Monday.

The suspects were arrested at the request of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Waterloo police said. On Monday evening, The Missourian newspaper in Washington, Mo., reported that one of the suspects, Wesley Tatom, 24, of Salem, Mo., was charged with second-degree murder and remains at the Monroe County Jail awaiting extradition. During a Tuesday afternoon hearing, Tatom waived extradition and is awaiting transport to Franklin County.

A second person taken into custody on Morrison Avenue, also a male, remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail.

Neighbors reported seeing a strong police presence surrounding a residence at 310 Morrison Avenue, including law enforcement personnel dressed in tactical gear. The deployment of a flash grenade was used by police during the incident. This is a non-lethal explosive device sometimes used by tactical police units to apprehend a suspect.

Monday’s incident is related to the shooting death Friday night of a 46-year-old man in Robertsville, Mo. The victim, identified as Darrel L. Johnson, was shot outside of his camper and died later at a hospital, according to this article from The Missourian newspaper in Washington, Mo.

Two suspects in an attempted Millstadt break-in were taken into custody early Monday following a police pursuit that ended on I-255 near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge.

The incident occurred about 1:20 a.m., as a woman on Jotham Court in Millstadt reported to police that a man had broken some glass on a back door in an apparent attempt to enter her home. Lt. Alan Hucke of the Millstadt Police Department told the Republic-Times that the woman had called 911 to report an unknown man ringing her doorbell. She then heard the glass breaking on her door while still on the phone with the dispatcher.

A responding Millstadt police officer observed a Cadillac Escalade driving away from the scene and gave chase north on Route 163. The officer terminated the chase, Hucke said, when speeds were deemed unsafe. Dupo, Cahokia, Columbia and St. Louis County police were called to assist in the pursuit.

A Columbia officer successfully deployed stop sticks on westbound I-255, resulting in three tires on the Escalade being deflated. Two occupants attempted to flee on foot from the stalled vehicle, but a Cahokia K-9 dog caught and bit one of them while an officer apprehended the other. Both suspects, a man and a woman, were taken into custody sometime after 2 a.m. They remain in custody at the St. Clair County Jail with charges pending.

The Escalade involved in this case was reported stolen out of St. Louis County, Hucke added.

“(The homeowner) did an excellent job in calling 911 and providing a good description of the vehicle,” Hucke said, adding “Our officer was in the right place at the right time.”

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police
Jan. 7
A Cahokia resident was driven to Gateway Urgent Care at 11 South shortly before 2:45 p.m. for treatment of a possible drug overdose. Urgent care workers contacted Columbia EMS for transport to an area hospital. Police investigated the incident to see if the overdose occurred in the city, but it was soon determined that it took place elsewhere.

Monroe County Sheriff
Jan. 3
Jason D. Hanner, 34, of Bunker Hill, was arrested for felony aggravated DUI on Route 3. 

Jan. 4
Dominique Lewis, 23, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant on Bluff Road at Sandalwood Drive.

Jan. 7
A possible report of harassment/stalking following a minor traffic crash in the area of Maeystown Road at KK Road is under investigation.

Jan. 8
Emergency personnel responded at about 5:30 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Route 3 near the YMCA. Police said a 2009 Pontiac G6 driven by a 17-year-old male was turning left onto southbound Route 3 from EE Road when it collided with a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 53-year-old Belleville man that was traveling south on Route 3. Neither driver required medical transport from the scene.

Waterloo Police
Jan. 2
Allaeddih Qandah, 29, of Hazelwood, Mo., was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for theft on Route 3 at Illinois Avenue.

Jan. 3
Jacob Meinkoth, 27, of Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested for retail theft at Walmart. Columbia police have additional charges pending against Meinkoth, who was pulled over in Columbia following the alleged crime.
Steven P. Gibson, 29, of Red Bud, was arrested for DUI (intoxicating compound) on Route 3.

Jan. 4
Nicholas J. Schardan, 19, of East St. Louis, was cited for disorderly conduct in the 500 block of West Mill Street.

Jan. 6
Steve Fry, 44, of Waterloo, was issued a city ordinance violation for failure to vaccinate dog in the 400 block of South Market Street.

The theft of jewelry, medication and credit cards from a home in the 800 block of Blazing Star Drive is under investigation.

Aaron Shive

Since 2005, Aaron Shive has been among the dozens of devoted volunteers who have given their time as Waterloo firefighters. His most recent role, which he has reprised for the last three years, has been second assistant chief.

Following a vote by the department’s membership, the 36-year-old Shive will take the reigns next Thursday as the new chief.

He replaces Brett Wiegand, who has served as  Waterloo’s fire chief since 2015.

“It’s a rewarding position,” Shive said of the opportunity…>>>

Read the rest of the story in the January 17, 2018,  issue of the Republic-Times.

If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.

Keith F. Wolter

A longtime employee of Wm. Nobbe & Co. John Deere is being remembered as a dedicated employee, devoted husband and loving father following a fatal crash on Route 3 near Chester last week.

Illinois State Police said Keith F. Wolter, 38, of Evansville, was killed when a southbound 2015 Ford Fusion driven by Jonathan Hohgrefe, 46, of Chester, struck a deer in the roadway shortly after 6 p.m. The deer went airborne and flew threw the windshield of Wolter’s 2015  Chevrolet Equinox.

Wolter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Funeral services for Wolter will take place Tuesday in Red Bud.

Wolter had worked as a corporate parts manager for Wm. Nobbe & Co. in Waterloo for 20 years.

“We write this with a heavy heart as we say goodbye to someone who was more than just a corporate parts manager,” the dealership wrote on its Facebook page. “Keith was part of our family for 20 years and played an important role in helping us get to where we are today.”

In addition to memorials listed in his obituary, a scholarship fund has been set up for Wolter’s children. Donations can be mailed to First Bank – 1411 S. Main St. Red Bud, IL 62278, or dropped off at any First Bank location.

To read the full obituary, click here.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police
Jan. 8
Marlan R. Harden, 40, of East Carondelet, was arrested for unlawful use of weapons on Admiral Parkway southbound at Wedgewood Drive.
Jan. 11
A possible battery at Tequila Mexican Restaurant is under investigation. At about 5:25 p.m., police responded to the restaurant to investigate a disturbance between four patrons and a hostess inside the business. No serious injuries were reported in the incident.
Jan. 15
Brandon C. Butler, 24, of Cahokia, was arrested on multiple out-of-state warrants on I-255.
Vernon L. Law Jr., 30, of Columbia, was arrested for aggravated domestic battery, criminal damage to property, and on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant at 1354 N. Glenwood Drive.

Illinois State Police
Jan. 6
Brett Frizell, 53, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI on I-255.

Monroe County Sheriff
Jan. 8
Jeff G. Benson, 42, of Bluford, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.
Brandon L. Patrillo, 41, of Granite City, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.
Jan. 9
Jyrus Hogan, 37, of St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant and on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Montgomery County, Mo.
Jan. 10
Tanner E. Rodgers, 43, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant in Columbia.
A crash involving a 2006 GMC Sierra on D Road at Canman Lane is under investigation. The truck lost control and struck a tree, but the driver apparently fled from the scene.
Jan. 12
Peter F. Garza, 20, of Waterloo, was issued a county ordinance violation for possession of cannabis on Old State Route 3 at Route 3.
Jan. 14
Joseph W. Steinke, 54, of Webster Groves, Mo., was arrested for DUI, no insurance, illegal transportation of alcohol and improper lane usage on Sportsman Road at Grandview Terrace.

St. Clair County Sheriff
Jan. 8
A Millstadt man sustained fatal injuries in a late night ATV crash in rural St. Clair County. Stephen R. Cooper Jr., 30, of Millstadt, died in the crash, which occurred about 11 p.m. in the area of 2700 Glauber Road between Millstadt and Dupo. Police said Cooper and 27-year-old Tyler Dockins were riding ATVs on rural roads when the crash took place.

Waterloo Police
Jan. 9
Troy Rayburn, 41, of Waterloo, was arrested for aggravated assault in the 600 block of South Church Street. Court information alleges that he attempted to strike two people with his vehicle. On Jan. 16, Rayburn was also arrested for violating an order of protection in the 600 block of South Church Street.

Jan. 11

Charles Mansfield, 42, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant in the 1300 block of Rachael Lane.

Police received a report of identity theft from a resident on Covington Drive. Someone fraudulently used her personal information to open up a credit card account.

Jan. 12

Police received a report of fraud from a resident on Dwight Street involving fraudulent use of the resident’s social security number.

Columbia police are investigating more thefts of wheels and tires from vehicles outside of auto dealerships and collision centers in town.

Similar thefts were reported in December at Royal Gate Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram and George Weber Chevrolet. For more on those incidents, click here.

On Jan. 9, Quality Collision in Southwoods Center reported the thefts of wheels from three vehicles outside their business.

On Friday, Royal Gate reported the theft of wheels from another vehicle parked on their lot. This theft is believed to have occurred sometime between Jan. 15 and Jan. 18.

Anyone who may have observed recent suspicious behavior at these businesses can call Columbia police at 281-5151.

Red Bud police are also investigating wheel thefts from Weir Chevrolet. Those thefts were reported Jan. 8 and Jan. 22. Shemwell Motors in Red Bud also reported an attempted theft over the weekend.

WPD Chief Mike Douglas

Police agencies in Monroe County saw a continued increase in activity for 2017. 

The increase in law enforcement activity is understandable, considering the county’s population has increased from 22,422 residents in 1990 to 33,879 in 2015.

The Waterloo Police Department received less calls for service in 2017 but made more overall traffic stops.

The department received 11,713 calls for service last year, which is down from 12,151 calls in 2016.

However, WPD officers conducted more traffic stops in 2017 compared to the year prior: 3,952 to 3,813.

“I chalk these numbers up to just being a normal fluctuation,” Waterloo Police Chief Mike Douglas said. 

The number of retail thefts decreased dramatically to just 16 in 2017 compared to 61 in 2016. There were 90 retail theft arrests in 2015.

“We’re reactive to whoever calls us,” Douglas said in regard to retail thefts, adding that Walmart is where the bulk of the city’s retail theft complaints originate.

CPD Chief Jerry Paul

The number of meth arrests climbed in Waterloo to 10 in 2017 from just three in 2016 and two in 2015.

“It’s the drug of choice right now,” Douglas said, adding that the cheaper price of meth has added to its allure.

The number of arrests for possession of a controlled substance declined in Waterloo to eight in 2017 from 13 in 2016.

The WPD made 11 domestic battery arrests last year, which is down significantly from 22 such arrests in 2016.

Weapons arrests held relatively steady, with seven made in 2017 compared to six arrests in 2016.

The number of vehicle crashes in Waterloo decreased to 233 in 2017 from 320 crashes in 2016. 

Douglas said his department is getting back to full speed following some vacancies over the past year due to retirements, disability and relocations.

MCSD Neal Rohlfing

The Columbia Police Department again received…>>>

Read the rest of the story in the January 24, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times.

If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.

James Cody Voss

A Waterloo man previously convicted of burglary was sentenced last week to federal prison after he shot and killed a neighbor’s cat.

Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, said James Cody Voss, 25, of Waterloo, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun and felon in possession of a firearm.

Voss will also have to serve a term of two years of supervised release following his release from prison.

During a change of plea hearing on Sept. 22, 2017, Voss admitted he had used a sawed-off shotgun to kill a neighbor’s cat, and that he had been previously convicted of felony burglary in Monroe County in 2011.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.

The investigation which resulted in Voss’ arrest and conviction was conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.

A 19-year-old Waterloo man died from an apparent gunshot wound Thursday night near his home.

Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill identified the deceased as Noah P. Hays, who was a freshman at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He was pronounced dead at 9:25 p.m.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department requested the coroner and Illinois State Police to assist in the death investigation. Hays was found deceased in a wooded area in the 3000 block of HH Road, Hill said.

Arrangements for Hays are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo.

Pictured is the scene of Friday night’s fire at 5916 KK Road south of Waterloo.

The Waterloo Fire Department received assistance from Red Bud and Hecker firefighters in battling a structure fire late Friday night south of Waterloo.

The fire at 5916 KK Road was called in about 10:45 p.m. by a passerby traveling on nearby Route 3. The house was fully engulfed upon firefighter arrival. Power lines melted off the house and fell to the ground.

It is believed that the house was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Check back for more information as it becomes available.