Local stakeholders gathered last week to participate in training as part of a grant received by Human Support Services earlier this year. (submitted photo)

Members of Human Support Services and local officials gathered last week for a community strategic planning for crisis and crime prevention response.

Nineteen people attended the workshop, including HSS staff, representatives from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, law enforcement officers from nearby municipalities and EMS personnel. 

These stakeholders met as part of the training and support initiative the National Council for Behavioral Health awarded to HSS earlier this year. 

“It’s a 12-month initiative and really what it looks at is local community behavioral health organizations and county jails,” Ayla Colella, project director at the National Council, said. “We look for what we can do and what kind of support we can provide so there is better collaboration across the board for improved mental health outcomes and addiction outcomes for those leaving incarceration and reentering the community.”

HSS, in collaboration with the MCSD was one of only three nonprofits nationwide chosen to participate in this initiative, which is called the Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Collaborative.

“This collaboration is an outstanding opportunity for Monroe County to make great strides forward in addressing mental health and substance abuse disorders in our justice system,” HSS Executive Director Anne King said when the initiative was announced in April. “We want to address these issues the second the individuals come into the jail, and hopefully start the rehabilitation process much sooner so we can stop the cycle of recidivism…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the July 18, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

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.

(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
July 11
Eric S. Campbell, 27, of East Carondelet, was charged with retail theft following a June 26 incident at Ace Hardware, 229 N. Main Street. He is alleged to have stolen a Milwaukee worksite radio and DieHard jumpstarter.

July 14
Derek M. Hornbostel, 24, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI at 300 Columbia Center.

Gregory L. Morris, 48, of St. Louis, was arrested on a fugitive from justice out-of-state warrant at Mozel, 1900 Westgate Drive.

July 15
A possible case of trespassing in the 200 block of East Market Street is under investigation. Shortly after 4:30 p.m., a woman told police that a white male standing about 5-foot-6 and wearing a plaid shirt entered through an open garage door and went into her residence through the kitchen man door. Upon seeing her, she said the man left in a white/silver four-door car.

Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern IL
July 9
Two Randolph County women were arrested on drug charges at Circle K, 209 S. Market Street in Waterloo. Brandi E. Rice, 33, of Willisville, was charged with possession of meth (15 to 100 grams) and unlawful possession of a firearm (stun gun) without an FOID card. She is not eligible for an FOID card due to a previous felony meth conviction in Perry County. Samantha A. Dascole, 19, of Evansville, was charged with possession of meth (15 to 100 grams) and possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam).

Millstadt Police
July 16
Matthew C. Rautman, 32, of Hecker, was charged with two counts of burglary for incidents involving a residential garage and tavern. He is alleged to have entered the garage between June 24 and July 3. He is also alleged to have broken into Ott’s Tavern at 20 E. Washington Street on July 8. Rautman remains at the St. Clair County Jail with bail set at $80,000.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 9
Robert W. Bergmann, 37, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery at 1032 S. Library Street.

July 11
John W. Kirkley, 31, of Waterloo, was arrested for violating a civil no contact order at 5244 Kaskaskia Road.

James C. Warren, 53, of Marissa, was arrested for theft control/intent over $500. It is alleged that Warren stole a flatbed trailer from the parking lot of Select Fuel at 3745 State Route 3.

A report of criminal trespass to property on Coxeyville Road is under investigation. At about 9 p.m., a white male in his 30s with dark hair was allegedly seen in the victim’s shed before fleeing in a blue Ford Explorer with Missouri plates.

A small fire caused minimal damage to a residence at 5203 Lake Mildred Drive south of Renault about 10 p.m. No injuries were reported in the incident.

July 12
The theft of power tools between July 5-11 from a storage container on a trailer at Freedom Lake, 5329 Sportsman Road, is under investigation.

July 13
Tyler J. Compton, 18, of Waterloo, was issued a county ordinance violation for possession of cannabis at Konarcik Park.

Nathan Herrell, 34, of DeSoto, Mo., and Casey M. Rigsby, 23, of East St. Louis, were each arrested on Monroe County warrants.

Matt Hankammer, 37, of Columbia, was arrested for unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence at 9019 State Route 3.

Travis Bequette, 37, of Summerfield, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

July 14
Josh Rippelmeyer, 35, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI on Route 3 north of LL Road.

July 16
Mystry D. Scott, 33, of Fults, was arrested for domestic battery at 5205 Kaskaskia Road.

Joseph M. Johnson, 41, of Red Bud, was arrested for battery at 5901 State Route 3.

Waterloo Police
July 13
Leah M. Mehring, 27, of Red Bud, was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol on South Library Street at Route 3.

July 14
Trevor A. Burgess, 26, of Waterloo, was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol at 120 N. Main Street.

Several juveniles were cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol in the 1200 block of Remington Road shortly after 11 p.m.

Jessica Hubbard, 32, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) in the 200 block of North Market Street.

July 15
The possible theft of $200 from a woman’s purse at Willie’s West End, 107 S. Moore Street, is under investigation.

John H. Juengel III, 22, of Columbia, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant for endangering the welfare of a child and on a Randolph County warrant.

July 16
Tyler J. Kitchell, 20, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

Cherie Pegg

A local woman was charged this week with felony methamphetamine trafficking.

Court information alleges that Cherie A. Pegg, 41, of Waterloo, unlawfully brought more than 15 grams (less than 100 grams) of meth into Illinois from St. Louis with the intent to deliver. The arrest occurred July 23 in Monroe County and was conducted by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois regional drug task force.

Meth trafficking is a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of between 12 and 60 years upon conviction.

Pegg remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail on $100,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing has been set for Aug. 9.

Pictured is the scene of Saturday’s plane crash in Columbia. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Several emergency agencies responded about 12:30 p.m. Saturday to a plane crash at Palmer Road near Red Roof Liquor & Lottery on Southport Drive in Columbia.

Columbia police, fire department and EMS personnel responded to the scene along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County EMS and Dupo Police Department.

Police said all four occupants on board the 1971 Piper Cherokee were transported to St. Louis hospitals. One of the occupants was a young boy, who was transported to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening. Two adults were transported to Saint Louis University Hospital, and another adult was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County.

Two of those on board the plane were local residents and two were from St. Louis, police said.

The plane had just taken off from nearby Sackman Field off Bluff Road, police said, and witnesses observed it flying very low shortly before the crash. The plane clipped power lines, knocking out power near the crash scene.

The stoplights at the busy intersection of Route 3 at North Main Street were not functioning and caused a traffic back-up. Power was restored to most of those affected within a couple of hours, but some residents in the bottoms remained without power late Saturday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been contacted to respond to the scene.

Palmer Road was expected to be closed from Southport Drive to DD Road at Bluff Road into the evening hours as FAA and NTSB officials investigate the crash.

(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
July 19
Elizabeth R. Lambert, 31, of Dupo, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia on Old State Route 3 at Lakeshore Drive. Also arrested in the incident was David W. Wilkerson Jr., 27, of East Carondelet, on a St. Clair County warrant.

July 20
Christopher A. Shadowens, 55, of Waterloo, was arrested for felony aggravated DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving while license suspended, illegal lane usage, and failure to signal on I-255 westbound.

July 22
Columbia police, fire and EMS responded about 2:30 p.m. to a motorcycle crash on the Route 158 exit ramp onto northbound Route 3 in Columbia. A 2001 Honda Goldwing driven by Sean Cochran, 46, of Ballwin, Mo., lost control and traveled down an embankment. Cochran was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County.

Millstadt Police
July 1
Scott E. Chandler, 33, of Lenzburg, was arrested on multiple St. Clair County traffic warrants, operation of a vehicle with suspended registration and  expired registration on Douglas Road at Clubhouse Lane.

July 13
About 5:45 p.m., police responded to the alley behind the 200 block of West Washington Street for a disturbance involving a subject armed with a baseball bat. Wesley H. Reinhardt, 44, of Millstadt, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of disorderly conduct. 

Monroe County Sheriff
July 16
Dejuane Holman, 30, of East St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

July 19
Britany Everding, 25, was arrested on a Randolph County warrant following a two-vehicle non-injury crash at 4928 Kaskaskia Road.

July 21
Multiple law enforcement personnel responded to a residence on South Ronnie Drive about 2 p.m. for a domestic matter. Weapons inside the home were placed in the custody of a relative for safe keeping and the male resident left the home for the night. No arrests were made in the incident.

July 22
The possible theft of numerous items from a storage shed at 6265 State Route 3 is under investigation. Items listed as stolen from the shed include AR-15 and Marlin .22 firearms, a Dell computer, tools and ammunition.

Emergency personnel responded about 5:55 p.m. to a motorcycle crash on Route 3 near Hanover Road. Police said a 2013 Harley-Davidson driven by Nicholas A. Shrum, 35, of Waterloo, was traveling south on Route 3 at a high rate of speed when a vehicle started to move into its lane, forcing the motorcycle off the roadway. The bike overturned into the median, ejecting the driver. Shrum refused medical transport at the scene. He was cited for reckless driving.

Valmeyer Police
July 19
Douglas E. Comstock, 32, of Valmeyer, was arrested for felony domestic battery (prior conviction) and misdemeanor domestic battery at 116 E. Harrisonville Drive.

Waterloo Police
July 17
Ashley Barker, 29, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

July 19
The possible theft of $200 from an unlocked truck parked outside the Super 8 Motel, 112 Warren Drive, between July 14 and July 19 is under investigation.

July 20
Emily Reeder, 19, of Waterloo, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant.

Amy Bucherich, 44, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident on Route 3 at Illinois Avenue.

July 21
Julian Henson, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving without lights when required on Park Street at Route 3.

July 23
Christopher Altnether, 20, of Columbia, was arrested on warrants out of Monroe and St. Clair counties.

The Columbia Police Department recently purchased a 2015 Smart Car to police the parks and walking trails in the city and help with community relations. (Kermit Constantine photo)

There was a tiny new addition to the Columbia Police Department patrol fleet last week. 

This new vehicle looked like the other cars on the parking lot, with black-and-white coloring and the department’s logo on the side. Soon, it would have a flashing light bar, too. 

But this car is substantially smaller than its fellow police vehicles because it is a Smart Car. 

The department acquired the 2015 vehicle to patrol the parks and walking trails in the city.

Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul got the idea for a Smart Car for this purpose when he saw New York City had recently bought several Smart Cars to help with their police force.

“I thought, ‘you know, that’s perfect. That’s just a wonderful way to patrol the parks,’” he said. 

Paul said the department once had a part-time officer to patrol the parks on an all terrain vehicle before there were any walking trails. 

Paul wanted to reinstitute that position, so he researched buying an ATV but decided to go with the Smart Car for numerous reasons. 

For one, the car provides more protection from the elements for the officer than an ATV. 

It will also be able to drive on roads around the city, which an ATV could not do without proper paperwork from the state. Paul said that paperwork was too difficult to obtain when compared with the ease of buying this car.

It is also small enough to drive on walking trails without taking up the whole pathway. 

Finally, it was cheaper than the ATV, as the used Smart Car with under 17,000 miles cost approximately $5,600. Paul budgeted about $12,000 for the vehicle. 

The CPD bought the car from Bobby Brooks, owner of Brooks Motor Company, who sold it to them at cost. The detailing was done by Quality Collision & Towing. 

Paul originally saw a need for a vehicle like the Smart Car because the city is building a new trail in the coming months and it, like other trails, has isolated areas.

He has also heard concerns from residents who live near the new GM&O Heritage Trail about how the area will be policed.

“This car was kind of the thought on how we address that,” Paul said. 

In addition to patrolling the parks and walking trails, the car will serve as a community relations tool. 

“We’re not going to be out and be like ‘hey let’s do a traffic stop or a felony stop in the Smart Car,’” Paul said. “That’s not the purpose. It’s more just to be out, be accessible and talk to people.”

Paul said he envisions the officer driving the Smart Car, Andrew Krump, will engage in conversation with people he meets in the park and on the walking trails. 

Krump was hired in May to patrol the parks part-time. When he is not working, a normal police car will periodically drive by the parks. 

Krump has already received some training but is still in the process of completing it. He has progressed enough to do the job and more. 

“He is a certified police officer, so he certainly can arrest people if he wanted to,” Paul noted. “There’s no reason he couldn’t detain you, put you in handcuffs and put you in the front seat if he chose to do so.”

Typical protocol will be for Krump to call for backup if he makes an arrest to transport the suspect. 

Krump’s primary focus, however, will be on patrolling the parks and trails and talking to citizens. He will also play a key role in the department’s upcoming Summer Challenge through Facebook. 

For this event, people must like and follow the CPD’s Facebook page. 

Then, on certain days, the department will post a fact about a park or trail and a picture. Contestants will then use that information to decipher where Krump is and when he will be there.

Children will then go to Krump and recite the safety phrase of the day, which will also be on Facebook. 

If they do, they will get prizes like a “Back the Blue” bracelet, water bottles with the CPD logo, McDonald’s coupons and workbooks with information about what police officers do. 

If the children also take a selfie with Krump and/or the car while wearing their bracelet, their parents can post it to Facebook from 5-8 p.m. on that day’s challenge post. 

The department will then randomly select a grand prize winner from those entries to get a gift card to a local restaurant. 

The department currently has five such challenges planned. 

For more information on the contest, visit the department’s Facebook page. 

Given its dual uses, Paul said he thinks the Smart Car will benefit Columbia residents in multiple ways.

“I think we’re going to have access to a lot of those areas in the parks and the trails,” he said. 

“I think the citizens are going to feel safer and feel the presence in those more isolated areas. I think this will be great for events, too, like parades or Songs4Soldiers. It will also be great for the kids.”

A medical helicopter departs from the scene of Monday’s accident in Waterloo. (James Moss photo)

A teenager was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital for treatment of head injuries sustained when he fell off the hood of a moving vehicle on Remington Road at Prairie Place in a subdivision off Country Club Lane in Waterloo shortly after 2 p.m. Monday.

The Waterloo Police Department, Monroe County EMS and Waterloo Fire Department responded to the scene along with Survival Flight medical helicopter service.

The victim, a 16-year-old male identified by his family as Waterloo High School student Brody Cobb, was conscious at the scene. Police said he was on the hood of an acquaintance’s 2006 Jeep SUV when the accident occurred.

Brody’s mother, Amanda Dugan, told the Republic-Times that the vehicle was going 25-30 miles per hour when the incident occurred. Her son remains in intensive care at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with skull fractures and bleeding on the brain, she said.

“Please pray for him,” Dugan said.

Pictured is one of two vehicles owned by Ellen Gates on North Main Street that were damaged overnight. (submitted photo)

Waterloo police are investigating after the windows of several parked vehicles were broken out overnight.

As of Tuesday afternoon, police said two vehicles in the 200 block of North Main Street, one near State Bank of Waterloo’s North Market Street location,  two on Hamacher Street, two on Washington Street and one on Adams Street all had their windows damaged. Police believe the windows may have been shot out by a BB gun.

Nothing was reported missing from the vehicles. The crimes are believed to have occurred sometime between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, police said.

Anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in town around that time to contact the Waterloo Police Department at 939-3377.

(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
July 25
Cornesho Jones, 23, of Belleville, was arrested on an in-state warrant and for driving while license suspended on Route 3 at Wedgewood.

Cody E. Grabe, 18, of St. Louis, was cited for unlawful possession of alcohol at Ace Hardware, 229 N. Main Street.

July 26
Caitlin M. Heightman, 30, of Swansea, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant and for no valid license, expired registration and no insurance on I-255 westbound.

Lamora M. Griffin-Ward, 25, of St. Louis, was arrested on St. Clair County warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and criminal trespass.

July 28
Shaun P. Maddox, 33, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage, no insurance and expired registration on Route 3 southbound at the Quarry/Palmer Road exit.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 23
A two-car crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. on Route 158 at Campbell Lane. A 2012 Ford Escape driven by Debra A. Rodenberg, 59, of Fults, pulled out from Campbell Lane into the path of a 2004 Cadillac Deville driven by George B. Hornbostel, 79, of Millstadt. Rodenberg was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County.

A possible report of credit card fraud is under investigation. A resident of Timber Lake Court reported that someone had fraudulently applied for a Capital One credit card using her identification. 

July 24
Timmothy J.H. Ritzel, 19, of Valmeyer, was arrested for domestic battery at 5526 B Road.

July 26
Dominic Belosi, 41, of St. Louis, was arrested on a fugitive from justice parole violation warrant out of Missouri.

Waterloo Police
July 27
Ordinance violation citations for public fighting are pending against multiple individuals following a fight at the Monroe County Fairgrounds during the auto demolition derby.

Cameron W. Hull, 28, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery at 24 Dwight Street.

July 28
James A. Huff, 53, of Waterloo, was arrested for felony aggravated DUI (third offense). He was also cited for disorderly conduct in the 300 block of East First Street.

Kodi Lafore is escorted from the courtroom by Randolph County Sheriff’s Department deputies following a preliminary hearing March 6 at the Randolph County Courthouse. (North County News photo)

A brief case management hearing took place Aug. 1 at the Randolph County Courthouse in Chester for a Waterloo man accused of second degree murder.

Kodi Lafore, 23, of Waterloo, was charged earlier this year with both involuntary manslaughter and second degree murder following an incident that took place Jan. 6 in rural Red Bud, where Adam Sesto, 36, of Red Bud received a fatal stab wound.

Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker told the North County News that Lafore did not accept a proposed plea offer in this case prior to last week’s hearing.

Lafore’s defense attorney, Justin Kuehn, also filed a motion to withdraw from the case…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the August 8, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

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.

(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
July 31 – Thomas A. Gullo, 26, of Columbia, was arrested for criminal damage to government supported property, two counts of aggravated fleeing/eluding police, illegal squealing of tires, disobeying a stop sign, no insurance and improper use of registration. Gullo is alleged to have damaged the property of Columbia’s sewage treatment plant at 2577 Bottom Road with his vehicle and then disobeyed attempts by police to pull him over. He was later taken into custody in the 100 block of North Main Street.

Aug. 3 – Ashley N. Emig, 30, of East Carondelet, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, no license and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident on Old State Route 3 at Columbia Lakes Drive.

Aug. 3 – Roxann L. Halsey, 59, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, fleeing/eluding police, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper turning and speeding on Fieldcrest Drive.

Dupo Police
Aug. 3 – Bruce Stennis, 39, of Dupo, was arrested for criminal trespassing and resisting arrest at an apartment in the 500 block of WIL Road. He is alleged to have entered the wrong apartment while intoxicated, thinking it was his place of residence.

Millstadt Police
July 17 – Brittany A. Hamilton, 25, of Columbia, was arrested on East Washington Street on a felony warrant out of Monroe County for child abduction/conceal/detain. The alleged incident occurred May 26 in the 300 block of W. Olympia Street in Columbia and is related to a custody dispute involving Hamilton’s biological child.

July 28 – David A. Schaffner, 35, of Millstadt, was arrested for DUI on West Washington Street.

July 31 – Money was stolen from a lost wallet near Dollar General in the 500 block of West Washington Street shortly before 1 p.m. The wallet had a large sum of cash missing when found and returned to its owner. Witnesses identified a Hispanic male wearing a yellow shirt and driving a white work van as the possible suspect. 

Monroe County Sheriff
Aug. 1 – John Krause, 40, of Evansville, was arrested for fleeing/eluding police, improper lane usage and no insurance while riding his motorcycle on Route 3 near Select Fuel shortly after 7 a.m. At 10:30 p.m., Krause was cited for pedestrian under the influence on Route 3 near Sportsman Road.

Aug. 3 – The possible theft of items from a home in the 5500 block of Konarcik Road is under investigation. On Aug. 6, the theft of a weed eater, socket set and radio from a barn on the property was reported.

Aug. 3 – The theft of a battery, battery charger, cordless drills, an angle grinder and leaf blower from a shed in the 4800 block of Kern Road is under investigation.

Aug. 5 – Gary Voegtle, 48, of Imperial, Mo., was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation, speeding and failure to signal on Route 3 at Frontage Road.

Aug. 5 – A 2004 Honda discovered crashed in the area of Route 159 and Wiegand Road south of Hecker about 1:30 p.m. turned out to be reported stolen out of Belleville. Emergency personnel were unable to locate a driver near the scene. Belleville police are investigating the incident.

Aug. 5 – Emergency personnel responded about 9:50 p.m. to a rollover crash on Bluff Road at HH Road. Two subjects were extricated from the vehicle and were conscious at the scene. One person was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County. The driver, Jennifer D. Van Britson, 42, of Valmeyer, was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

Waterloo Police
July 25 – A juvenile was arrested for retail theft at Walmart.

July 25 – A juvenile was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver in the 4000 block of State Route 156.

July 26 – Andrew M. Marlow, 19, of Waterloo, was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol in the 600 block of Mark Drive.

July 31 – Nicholas A. Shrum, 35, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and improper lane usage after striking a parked car in the 500 block of Morrison Avenue.

Aug. 1 – Waterloo police and Monroe County EMS responded about 2:30 p.m. to a drug overdose patient in the 300 block of West Fourth Street. Narcan was administered by police and EMS at the scene and the female patient was revived. Charges of obstructing justice are pending against another woman after she provided false information to police at the scene.

Aug. 1 – Jaclyn Quintin, 41, of Red Bud, was arrested for the theft of prescription pills in the 200 block of North Library Street.

Aug. 2 – Sydney L. McClelland, 22, of Cahokia, was arrested for unlawful use of weapon (stun gun), driving while license suspended and no insurance on Columbia Avenue at Monroe Street.

Aug. 2 – The theft of items from Walmart by a white male shortly after 5 a.m. is under investigation.

Aug. 3 – Michael D. Wills, 49, of East St. Louis, was arrested for felony retail theft (prior conviction) and criminal trespassing at Walmart.

Aug. 4 – Laura Acton, 28, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (heroin), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe on Route 3 at GG Road.

Aug. 5 – Douglas M. Moore, 65, of Waterloo, was arrested for obstructing a peace officer in the 100 block of Rau Street.

A man wanted for attempted burglary in Missouri led officers on a pursuit Wednesday night across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on I-255 into Monroe County and south on Route 3 through Columbia and Waterloo before his eventual apprehension by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department near Red Bud.

Deputies finally pulled over the vehicle, which was driven by Steven L. Rose, 33, of Missouri, on Route 3 near Powell Road about 9:45 p.m.

At about 9:30 p.m., an Illinois State Police emergency radio network broadcast notified Monroe County law enforcement of a police pursuit in Missouri crossing over into Illinois.

Rose was wanted for attempted burglary in Crystal City, Mo., and also reportedly called in a false report of an active shooter at Mercy Hospital in Festus, Mo., in an attempt to divert Missouri law enforcement. The hospital went on lockdown as a precaution. Rose apparently also made threats of conducting “suicide by cop,” police said.

The suspect vehicle disregarded a traffic light on Route 3 at Park Street in Waterloo, nearly causing a crash. Once apprehended near Red Bud, Rose was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for evaluation before being turned over to Missouri law enforcement.

Columbia police are investigating an alleged incident of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred late Saturday night.

Shortly after 11:45 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of North Main Street at Veterans Parkway after a subject reported that occupants of a small white pickup truck pointed a handgun in their direction as they passed the victim’s location on North Main Street.

Columbia police located and attempted to stop the suspect vehicle near North Main Street at Route 3, after which the truck fled from officers onto I-255 entering Missouri.

The incident remains under investigation.

(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
Aug. 7 – A juvenile was charged with possession of cannabis (30-100 grams) on North Main Street at Lepp Street.

Aug. 9 – David J.J. Daubach, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested for violating an order of protection in the 200 block of N. Metter Avenue.

Aug. 10 – Emergency personnel responded about 2:45 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Palmer Road at Ghent Road. A 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Phyllis Stanberry, 75, of Dupo, was crossing over from Ghent Road to Old State Route 3 when it crossed into the path of a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Wesley Alemond, 43, of Aviston. Stanberry was transported to Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

Aug. 12 – Fridie M. Anderson, 30, of St. Louis, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant and for expired registration and suspended license at 11 South.

Aug. 14 – A two-vehicle crash occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Route 3 at Carl Street in Columbia. A 2008 Hyundai Tiburon driven by Tyler Thompson, 19, of Columbia, collided with a 2005 Pontiac Grand Am driven by a 16-year-old Columbia girl. She was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Monroe County Sheriff
Aug. 6 – Gary Elrod, 24, of Cedar Hill, Mo., was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

Aug. 7 – Scott A. Lloyd, 43, of Waterloo, was charged with theft stemming from a May 15 incident involving items stolen from a property.

Aug. 8 – Jennifer L. Sims, 31, was arrested on Route 3 at Rose Lane in Waterloo on a felony drug warrant out of Jackson County.

Aug. 10 – Christopher P. Williams, 24, was arrested on Route 3 in Columbia on a Jackson County failure to appear warrant.

Aug. 11 – Cody Rhodes, 30, of Dupo, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant and for resisting a peace officer after running from a 12:30 a.m. traffic stop on I-255 in Columbia. 

Aug. 11 – Brian Helvey, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Aug. 11 – A young woman was injured in a crash involving multiple ATVs in the area of 2700 Grant Road in Fults. Several ATVs were riding in the area when the crash occurred sometime after 3:30 p.m. An ATV driven by Brandon L. Siegfried, 20, of Evansville, reportedly slowed on the roadway and was struck by an ATV driven by Tyler D. Wilson, 18, of Fults. A female rider who was injured in the incident was rushed to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County by a personal vehicle for treatment of unspecified injuries. Siegfried and Wilson were each cited for operating ATVs on a roadway.

Aug. 12 – Matthew C. Rautman, 32, of Hecker, was arrested on a St. Clair County probation violation and cited for operation of an ATV on the roadway on Nike Road in Hecker.

Aug. 12 –Emergency personnel responded shortly after 10:05 a.m. to an injury ATV crash in the area of 6200 VV Road west of Ames Road. The crash occurred deep in the woods with the male driver, Charles W. Frederick, 82, of Dupo, sustaining a possible broken leg and other injuries. He was transported to Saint Louis University Hospital.

Aug. 13 – A vehicle driven by Marilyn A. Weber, 56, of Fults, was traveling east on LL Road when she missed the curve and struck the south end of a mobile home at 5506 LL Road. No injuries were reported in the incident. Waterloo Fire Department officials determined the structural integrity of the mobile home was still intact following the crash.

Waterloo Police
July 29 – Travis Turner, 44, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, no insurance and failure to signal on West Mill Street at Rau Street.

Aug. 8 – Jennifer Melching, 40, of Renault, was arrested on a Randolph County warrant for deceptive practice. 

Aug. 9 – The theft of a purse from an unlocked vehicle in the 200 block of North Main Street is under investigation.

Aug. 10 – Scott M. Reinhold, 36, of Smithton, was arrested for Class X felony possession of methamphetamine (more than 900 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, defective windshield and no insurance at Fast Stop, 409 S. Illinois Route 3. He posted bond and was released with a Sept. 13 court date.

Aug. 13 – Michael Spehn, 47, of Waterloo, was arrested on Stoeckel Lane on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant for high weeds.

Aug. 14 – A possible burglary at the former Town and Country small engine repair shop at 610 S. Market Street, is under investigation. Entry was gained through the front and back door, but nothing appeared missing.

Pictured, from left, is Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul with new CPD officers Andrew Krump and Tyler Gallaher with Mayor Kevin Hutchinson. Krump and Gallaher were officially sworn in at Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting. (Andrea Saathoff photo)

Monday’s meeting of the Columbia City Council packed the house.

Whether they were there to see the city’s newest law enforcement officers take their oaths to protect and serve, to express gratitude for what city leaders do or implore them to go farther, citizens and employees of the city exercised their right to be heard. 

Jason Chism, a negotiator with the United Steelworkers labor, which represents the city’s Department of Public Works employees, took to the podium to vent his frustrations over negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement that are rolling into a sixth month.

“It’s almost like the city is looking for a fight with the public works department,” Chism said. 

The primary points of contention revolve around the city’s desire to implement a two-tier pay and benefits structure for new employees, and an increase in health insurance costs for all DOPW employees.

“We were just looking to maintain our current benefit structure and propose modest wage increases,” Chism said. “We’re looking for basically the status quo…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the August 22, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

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.

Zack Hopkins

The Columbia School Board completed the first actionable step Thursday night toward having a school resource officer.

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement between the school district and city of Columbia for the SRO during its regular board meeting.

Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul said an SRO helps the district in several ways. 

“The benefit of a part-time SRO will be a more defined efficient process to help both the Columbia Police Department and Columbia School District administration accomplish our joint goals,” Paul said. “Hopefully the relationships developed with the one specific SRO will prove to be an advantage with students, parents and staff.  After a complete school year we will evaluate this model and assess if we reached our first year goals.”

District Superintendent Dr. Gina Segobiano said the SRO will increase police visibility in schools, but predicted the officer will not have as much work as in other cities.

“Our resource officer isn’t going to be used as some resource officers are in cities that might need more law enforcement for criminal offenses,” Segobiano said. 

As part of the agreement, the district will pay half of the officer’s salary up to 10 hours a week. The SRO will be veteran CPD K-9 officer Zack Hopkins…>>> 

Read the rest of this article in the August 22, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

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.

A young man was arrested following a late Wednesday morning incident at Proving Ground Cafe in Columbia.

Luke A. Buetiner, 22, of Collinsville, has been charged with battery and criminal trespassing in connection with the incident. Police said Buetiner first appeared at the business, located at 180 Columbia Center, early Wednesday morning and management told him at that time he was no longer welcome at the establishment.

Shortly after 11 a.m., an irate Buetiner returned to Proving Ground and “touched one of the employees in a provoking manner,” police said. An employee sprayed pepper spray on Buetiner and he was pinned to the ground until police could arrive at the scene.

Columbia EMS responded to the business, but no medical transport was requested by any of the parties involved.

Pictured is the home of Richard and Valerie Anderson in rural Fults, which was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

A rural Monroe County couple escaped an early Thursday morning house fire with little more than the clothes on their backs.

“It’s a total loss,” Maeystown Fire Chief Lynden Prange said of the home of Richard and Valerie Anderson at 2560 Sutterville Road near Fults.

Flames broke out shortly after 1 a.m. inside the modular home, which is tucked behind trees and brush off the roadway.

Prange was the first fire official on scene.

“There was fire coming out of two windows and the roof when I got there, and it was fully engulfed about 10 minutes after my arrival,” he said.

The Andersons were already outside of the home upon his arrival, Prange said.

“They heard a popping noise and got out quickly,” he said. “They basically got out of there with the clothes on their backs.”

Firefighters entered the residence to battle the blaze at one point, but quickly retreated after the ceiling collapsed.

Maeystown firefighters received assistance at the scene from the Valmeyer and Prairie du Rocher fire departments. Firefighters remained there until about 4:30 a.m. Prange believes the cause of the fire was electrical in nature.

The Andersons are members of Hope Christian Church, which is offering assistance to the family along with House of Neighborly Service and the American Red Cross, Prange said.