Benjamin A. Ducey

Police on Monday charged a Belleville man in connection with the attempted robbery of a Waterloo bank that took place early last Wednesday evening.

Benjamin A. Ducey, 28, of Belleville, is charged with intimidation/physical harm, which is a Class 3 felony.

Ducey is currently being held by the St. Charles (Mo.) Police Department on unrelated offenses.

“For all those who contacted the Waterloo Police Department with information about Ducey, we appreciate the assistance and support,” the police department stated in a news release.

Ducey allegedly left a backpack on the vehicle of First National Bank of Waterloo employee Glen Lutz in the bank’s 744 N. Market St. parking lot. A note instructed Lutz to put money into the backpack. In doing so, Ducey knowingly communicated to Lutz a threat by note to inflict physical harm, court information alleges…>>> 

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

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Pictured with Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing are, from left, Monroe County Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Task Force co-chairs Russell Brafford, Anne King, Chris HItzemann and Nick Hoeffken. (submitted photo)

Law enforcement officials, pastors, a county commissioner, a doctor, mental health experts, an educator and EMS representatives gathered Friday to take steps to reduce recidivism.

This took place at the first meeting of the Monroe County Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Task Force at the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo

The task force was formed after Human Support Services and local officials attended a two-day training session in July to focus on strategic planning to reduce recidivism. 

Recidivism is the tendency of a criminal to become a repeat offender.

That training occurred because the National Council for Behavioral Health selected HSS, along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, as one of only three nonprofits nationwide to receive that training and technical assistance. 

“I’m still shocked about that, but I’m happy about it,” HSS Executive Director Anne King said. “They’re pouring training and technical assistance resources into us to identify what works best in our county…>>>

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

If you don’t already receive the Republic-Times newspaper in your mailbox, click here or call 939-3814 to subscribe.

Or consider joining a growing number of readers who receive their news electronically. To view a free demo of the online R-T, click here.

Subscribe to the full-color online edition of the Republic-Times, which is delivered to your inbox every Wednesday by lunchtime and can be accessed anywhere, from any electronic device, for just $25 a year, by clicking here or calling 939-3814.

Columbia police are investigating the theft of one car and burglaries to two others in the 2800 block of Overview Drive near Columbia Lakes Drive early Sunday morning.

Police were first called out to that location about 4:15 a.m. Sunday, after a resident observed a silver 2011 Ford Taurus in a driveway with its engine running, lights on and an open door. Officers canvassed the area and conducted a K-9 search, but no suspect was found. The vehicle was unlocked at the time of the attempted theft and the keys were left inside, police said.

Shortly before 9:45 a.m., Columbia police returned to the area after a resident reported their silver 2006 Pontiac Vibe missing. Police said the keys were left inside the unlocked vehicle overnight.

At 10:30 a.m., police received another report in the 2800 block of Overview Drive involving items missing from inside a maroon 2016 Chrysler 200. This vehicle had also been left unlocked with no keys inside.

Anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in the area of the crimes between 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 a.m. Sunday is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 618-281-5151.

(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
Oct. 15 – Craig G. Nienhaus, 33, of Columbia, was arrested on a failure to appear traffic warrant out of Monroe County on Lakeshore Drive. 

Oct. 15 – Martin F. Capiz, 59, of Cahokia, was charged with felony aggravated DUI (third offense) following a Sept. 2 incident on Southport Drive.

Oct. 17 – Kimberly A. Gross, 40, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI on North Main Street at Koch Street. 

Oct. 19 – James Staggs, 38, of Caseyville, was issued a county ordinance violation for possession of drug paraphernalia and arrested for driving while license suspended, no insurance and improper use of registration on Route 3 at Southwoods Drive.

Oct. 19 – A report of disorderly conduct in the Burger King drive-through is under investigation. Shortly before 4:45 p.m., a white man aged 45-60 driving a black 2016 Ford Focus ordered 10 cheeseburgers and was asked to pull forward in the waiting area. He apparently became disgruntled and made reference to pulling a gun on the assistant manager. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call 281-5151.

Oct. 21 – Jimmy Rhyne, 35, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI and speeding on Route 3 at West Park Drive.

Oct. 22 – Gaetano Bommarito, 38, of Arnold, Mo., was arrested on an in-state warrant for no insurance on Route 3 southbound at EE Road.

Illinois State Police
Oct. 19 – Emergency personnel responded about 10:10 a.m. to a two-vehicle injury crash on I-255 westbound near milepost 5. One of the vehicles involved was a bus, but there were no injuries reported on the bus. An occupant of the other vehicle was transported by ambulance to Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis County.

Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Ill.
Sept. 27 – Jack N. Houston, 30, of Red Bud, was charged with possession of methamphetamine (15-100 grams) following a June 12 incident.

Millstadt Police
Oct. 9 – Dustin A. Castillo, 25, of Red Bud, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (heroin) and unlawful use of weapon (throwing star) following a traffic stop at South Jefferson Street and White Street.

Oct. 12 – Cody J. Sale, 18, of Belleville, was  charged with burglary to motor vehicle  and unlawful use of credit card in connection with vehicle break-ins in the Alpine Trails, Alpine Meadows and Regency Place neighborhoods. Possible charges against others involved in the crimes are pending.

Oct. 15 – A burglary reported at Hartmann Farm Supply, 3550 Douglas Road, is under investigation. Stolen sometime between Oct. 13-15 were several Echo brand trimmers, garden tillers, blowers and other hand tools, as well Red Max trimmers. 

Monroe County Sheriff
Oct. 11 – Jonathan T. Acord, 38, of Dupo, was initially arrested on a warrant for driving while license revoked. During processing at the jail, corrections staff located methamphetamine in Acord’s possession. He was subsequently arraigned for felony meth trafficking with bond set at $100,000.

Oct. 17 – James C. Hall 40, of St. Louis, was cited for failure to report an accident that damaged the guardrail on the Fults Creek bridge near Bluff Road and Fults Road.

Oct. 17 – Chauncey Lester, 21, of Swansea, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Oct. 18 – Christain Stephenson, 37, of East Carondelet, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Oct. 20 – A report of criminal damage to property in the 5800 block of Kaskaskia Road is under investigation. 

Oct. 21 – Matthew Case, 38, of Marissa, was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol and arrested for driving while license suspended, and expired registration on Route 3 at Valmeyer Road.

Waterloo Police
Oct. 1 – Blaine R. Barth, 35, of Columbia, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam) following a March 11 incident. 

Oct. 19 – Harrison J. Russell, 21, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam), possession of cannabis (more than 20 grams) and speeding on Lakeview Drive at Paul Drive.

Oct. 20 – Jason Woodard, 44, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery and criminal damage to property in the 400 block of Morrison Avenue.

Oct. 21 – Marinda Phillips, 41, of Mt. Vernon, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and driving while license suspended.

(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
Oct. 27 – Eric J. Done, 33, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery in the 200 block of Heritage Street.

Oct. 28 – Police are investigating the theft of one car and burglaries to two others in the 2800 block of Overview Drive near Columbia Lakes Drive. Police were first called about 4:15 a.m., after a resident observed a silver 2011 Ford Taurus in a driveway with its engine running, lights on and an open door. Officers canvassed the area and conducted a K-9 search, but no suspect was found. The vehicle was unlocked at the time of the attempted theft and the keys were left inside. Shortly before 9:45 a.m., police returned to the area after a resident reported their silver 2006 Pontiac Vibe missing. The keys were left inside the unlocked vehicle overnight. At 10:30 a.m., police received another report involving items missing from inside a maroon 2016 Chrysler 200. This vehicle had also been left unlocked with no keys inside. Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call 618-281-5151.

Millstadt Police
Sept. 30 – Jonathan E. Traiteur, 27, of Millstadt, was arrested for aggravated attempting to elude police and driving while license revoked following a 2 a.m. incident  on West Gooding Street and North Jefferson Street. Traiteur, who sped away on his motorcycle, was later arrested at his home in rural Millstadt.

Oct. 16 – Zachary S. Thrower, 18, of Millstadt, was arrested for domestic battery on East Washington Street. 

Oct. 24 – Millstadt and Smithton police joined probation officers at a residence on East Laurel Street for a subject wanted on felony drug warrants out of Illinois and Missouri. The officers searched the residence and found the subject, Connor A. McHenry, 30, of Millstadt, hiding in the cellar. He was taken into custody and transported to jail.

Monroe County Sheriff
Oct. 22 – The theft of a gray 2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty from a driveway in the 5200 block of Kaskaskia Road in Burksville is under investigation. The truck was parked with its doors locked and windows up, but a key was left on the front seat, police said. 

Oct. 23 – Ervin L. Sanders, 33, of Red Bud, was cited for expired license after his 1996 Toyota Camry went off the roadway and overturned when he swerved to miss a deer on Route 159 north of LL Road about 10:30 p.m. Sanders was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Oct. 23 – Joseph D. Silva, 26, of Columbia, was arrested on a fugitive from justice probation violation out of St. Louis County. 

Oct. 25 – Dustin E. Koonce, 38, of Donnellson, was arrested on multiple Madison County warrants.

Oct. 27 – Jennifer M. Schreyer, 37, of St. Louis, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).

Oct. 28 – Joshua Mabe, 20, of St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

Oct. 28 – Kimberly L. Wilson, 29, of Belleville, was cited for improper use of an electronic device during a traffic stop in Hecker.

Waterloo Police
Oct. 13 – Erica Gruber, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine on North Market Street.

Oct. 25 – Thomas Gidley, 48, of Waterloo, was cited for disorderly conduct and illegal dumping (air conditioner in the street) at 205 S. Library Street.

(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
Oct. 29
Ronald K. Whittaker, 52, of Cahokia, was arrested on a Clinton County warrant and for driving while license revoked.

Oct. 30
Junior H. Howard, 27, of Affton, Mo., was arrested on a Fayette County warrant at 634 Briar Lake Place.

Darcy Gomez, 26, of St. Louis, was charged with obstructing identification.

Nov. 3
Joshua R. Marquardt, 28, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant for possession of a controlled substance at 608 N. Main Street.

Nov. 4
Shawn A. Tepen, 30, of Cedar Hill, Mo., was arrested on multiple Jersey County warrants at 531 Old State Route 3.

Nov. 6
Emergency personnel responded about 11 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Route 158 at Campbell Lane. The male occupant of an older red Corvette reported head and neck pain and was transported to Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis County. The other vehicle involved was a Ford Taurus driven by a female who refused medical transport.

Illinois State Police
Oct. 31
Columbia police and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department assisted ISP in responding about 10:55 a.m. to a road rage incident reported on I-255 northbound between Columbia and Dupo with possible shots fired. A motorist notified police that he believed the driver of a white car with Missouri plates fired shots at him while both were driving on the interstate. The caller exited the interstate in Dupo and the suspect vehicle continued north. Police were unable to locate the suspect vehicle, and the use of gunfire in this incident was not verified. A trucker changing a tire on the side of the road near where the incident was reported told police he did not hear gunfire.

Monroe County Sheriff
Oct. 29
Melissa A. Amann, 37, of Waterloo, was cited for operating a vehicle with police markings on Route 159 north of Hecker.

Denise A. Range, 31, of Dupo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Nov. 1
A 1988 Honda FourTrax 200 four-wheeler reported stolen from 5244 Kaskaskia Road in Burksville is under investigation.

St. Clair County Sheriff
Nov. 4
The Columbia, Waterloo and Millstadt fire departments assisted St. Clair County emergency personnel about 5:55 p.m. in the search for a missing woman and her three dogs in the woods of Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve at 2200 Stemler Road. She was located safely about 6:30 p.m.

Waterloo Police
Oct. 26
Eric Frank, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested for retail theft at O’Reilly Auto Parts, 726 N. Market Street. Frank, an employee of the store, is alleged to have stolen $45 worth of items.

Oct. 30
Nicholas J. Blechle, 52, of Waterloo, was charged with felony aggravated DUI (third offense) following an Oct. 6 traffic stop on Market Street at Bradford Lane.

Oct. 31
Donald L. Gill Jr., 47, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

Nov. 1
Melissa Prigge, 30, of Waterloo, was arrested at 223 North Moore Street on a fugitive from justice warrant out of St. Louis County.

Corey Williams, 24, of Columbia, was arrested at 506 W. Mill Street on a fugitive from justice parole violation warrant out of Jefferson City, Mo.

Aaron Liefer, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested at 107 Roosevelt Drive on a fugitive from justice warrant out of St. Louis County and on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Nov. 5
Susan Johnson, 54, of Waterloo, was arrested for no insurance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia on Magnolia Street at North Church Street.

Stephen Norman

A Dupo man was charged this week in connection with two residential burglaries reported in that town on Monday morning.

The burglaries occurred in the 300 block of State Street and 500 block of Minnie Avenue, Dupo police said, with a TV and purse stolen from one of the homes and an iPad missing from the other residence.

On Wednesday, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. Stephen E. Norman, 30, of Dupo, was charged with two counts of burglary. Both counts are Class 1 felonies due to prior burglaries committed by Norman, police said.

Norman’s bond was set at $100,000, and he remains at the St. Clair County Jail in Belleville.

Pictured is one of the vehicles involved in the crash on Floraville Road. (St. Clair County EMA photo)

Two cars collided head-on in snowy conditions Wednesday night in the 3400 block of Floraville Road, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to both drivers.

Police said a 2006 Hyundai Sonata driven by Thomas G. Beaston, 65, of New Athens, and a 2004 Ford Focus driven by Keith W. Murray, 38, of Ruma, were both traveling on Floraville Road when the crash occurred.

“The weather conditions at the time of the accident were heavy snow in near blinding conditions,” Capt. Bruce Fleshren of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said.

Millstadt EMS transported both drivers to Memorial Hospital in Belleville for treatment of injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

“Due to the heavy snow conditions, the exact cause of the crash was not able to be determined at the time,” Fleshren said.

Both drivers told police they did not lose control of their vehicles prior to the crash and did not see the other vehicle prior to impact.

Charges were filed this week following a retail theft at Rural King in Waterloo shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday resulting in a successful police pursuit that ended in St. Clair County. Columbia police said the fleeing suspects fired shots from a moving vehicle during the pursuit, although they don’t believe the gunfire was aimed at police.

The suspect vehicle, a green Toyota with Illinois plates, was located by Columbia police near Route 158 and Route 3 and pursued into St. Clair County and through Millstadt. The vehicle was eventually stopped by the use of spike strips deployed in the area of Route 157 and Route 163 near Cahokia, with both occupants detained.

Joshua K. Gregory, 23, of O’Fallon, was charged in Monroe County Circuit Court with reckless discharge of a firearm. Court information alleges that Gregory “knowingly and unlawfully endangered the bodily safety of a Columbia police officer in that, while acting in a reckless matter, after being given an audible and visual signal to stop the vehicle he was driving, discharged a firearm from the vehicle while the officer was in pursuit.”

Ginger Jones, 37, of Belleville, was charged with felony retail theft (previous conviction). She is alleged to have stolen a pair of Carhartt bib overalls from Rural King.

Police agencies assisting the Waterloo and Columbia police departments in this incident included Millstadt, Cahokia and Dupo as well as the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.

Kodi A. Lafore

A Waterloo man charged earlier this year in Randolph County in connection with the stabbing death of a man near Red Bud is in more hot water following his arrest late Thursday night in rural Monroe County.

Now, the prosecutor in the Randolph County case is asking a judge to raise or revoke his bond.

Kodi A. Lafore, 23, was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department following a traffic stop near Prairie du Rocher for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and on a Randolph County warrant for deceptive practice.

The bond on Lafore’s new charges has been set at $250,000. He was still in custody at the Monroe County Jail in Waterloo as of Monday.

Lafore had been free on bond while preparing to stand trial for second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter following the Jan. 6 stabbing death of 36-year-old Adam Sesto in rural Red Bud.

He is being represented by prominent St. Louis defense attorney Scott Rosenblum in that case. His trial was set to start Jan. 14, 2019 at the Randolph County Courthouse in Chester, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding.

A stipulation as part of Lafore being free on bond, however, was that he not possess a knife.

According to a petition filed Monday by Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker  to increase or revoke Lafore’s bond based on the new charges, Lafore was in possession of a knife during his Thursday arrest. Police confirmed that Lafore was in possession of a pocketknife during the arrest.

No date had been set to hear Walker’s petition as of Monday.

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said his department was contacted by a resident in the 4500 block of Regtown Road in far southern Monroe County shortly before 10:30 p.m. Thursday, after the caller observed a suspicious vehicle shining a bright LED light on sheds in the area.

A deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Bluff Road and identified one of the occupants as Lafore.

More than five grams of meth were located inside the vehicle, as was marijuana and firearm ammunition.

Lafore and the other vehicle occupant, Heather N. Jones, 35, of Columbia, were arrested for possession of meth with intent to deliver.

Jones also remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail with bond set at $25,000.

In addition to his charges in Randolph and Monroe counties, Lafore has pending misdemeanor charges for battery in St. Clair County stemming from incidents on July 7, 2017 and Jan. 1, 2018, according to court information.

(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
Nov. 9
Columbia fire, police and EMS, along with Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police, worked a series of crashes as late afternoon rain turned to snow and dropping temperatures caused ice that made roadways hazardous for drivers, particularly on bridges, overpasses and ramps. By 8 p.m., a steady stream of calls reported vehicles sliding off roadways, into guardrails and involved in minor crashes, primarily on Route 3 on the Palmer Bridge overpass, on the ramps from Route 3 to Route 158, on the ramps at Route 3 and I-255, and near mile marker 6 on I-255. Emergency personnel eventually closed the Palmer Road overpass and Route 158 until the roads could be treated. No serious injuries were reported.

Nov. 11
John R. Ashley, 50, of Belleville, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper use of an electronic device, improper lane usage (wrong way driver) and no insurance on the westbound ramp of Route 158 shortly after midnight.

Nov. 12
Chelsea N. Sackman, 31, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, improper use of registration and no valid registration on North Main Street at Rueck Road.

Dupo Police
Nov. 12
Two residential burglaries reported in the morning in the 300 block of State Street and 500 block of Minnie Avenue are under investigation.  Police have two suspects in custody with charges pending. A 55-inch flat screen TV and Michael Kors purse were taken from one home and an iPad was stolen from the other residence.

Monroe County Sheriff
Nov. 1
A 17-year-old Valmeyer girl and her 14-year-old passenger were taken to St. Louis Childrens Hospital by family members after their Honda Civic crashed on Bluff Road just south of Fountain Road shortly after 6 p.m. The driver told police her car hydroplaned on the wet pavement.

Nov. 6
Joe L. Hemmer, 49, of Belleville, was transported by ambulance to Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis County for minor injuries sustained when the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette he was driving east on Route 158 was struck by a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by Patsy R. Powell, 85, of Columbia, which was turning onto Route 158 from Campbell Lane. Powell was cited for failure to yield.

Nov. 7
Destiny Helvey, 36, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant for truancy.

Nov. 9
Caitlin Heightman, 31, of Swansea, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant. 

Nov. 10
Donna Siciliano, 47, of Waterloo, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Florida.

Nov. 11
Andrea Brown, 28, of Dupo, was arrested for DUI on I-255.

Kavin Wyatt, 30, of East Carondelet, was arrested on two in-state warrants and also for speeding and driving while license suspended. His passenger, Heather R. Roles, was cited for illegal transportation of alcohol. 

Nov. 12
Trevor Burgess, 26, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant and for no insurance and illegal transportation of alcohol on Hamacher Street at Eagle Court.

Waterloo Police
Nov. 3
Briana Graves, 24, of Red Bud, was arrested on a St. Clair County failure to appear warrant on Route 3 at South Market.

Nov. 9
Michael Boyer, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol on Hillcrest Drive.

(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
Nov. 14
Bethany J. Pratte, 33, of Pacific, Mo., was arrested on an in-state warrant.

Nov. 16
Anthony F. Broyles, 39, of St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Nov. 17
Charles D. Carraway, 52, of East St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, no insurance, driving while license suspended, improper lane usage and improper display of registration. 

Millstadt Police
Nov. 7
Jennifer A. McClure, 34, of Millstadt, was arrested on multiple St. Clair County warrants following a traffic stop in the 1200 block of South Jefferson Street.

Monroe County Sheriff
Nov. 13
Sean C. Sharp, 36, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

The theft of $8,600 from the offices of Wm. Nobbe & Co. John Deere in Waterloo is under investigation. The missing funds were discovered during a recent business accounting report.

Nov. 16
Dena Woods, 38, of Belleville, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant. 

Marshonda Nicholson, 27, of East St. Louis, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Nov. 18
John C. Krause, 41, of Evansville, was cited for criminal trespassing in the 5200 block of Timber Lake Drive.

Waterloo Police
Nov. 16
Officers assisted Monroe County EMS is responding to the Dairy Queen parking lot off Route 3 about 6:40 p.m. for a drug overdose. Police said two doses of Narcan were successfully administered to a 33-year-old man, who was then transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Narcan is a medication used to block the effects of opioids. 

Amy Bucherich, 44, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage and driving while license suspended on Route 3 at Columbia Avenue.

Nov. 17
Mandy Herring, 39, of Valmeyer, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for retail theft.

Charges are pending following a retail theft at Rural King shortly after 9 p.m. The suspect vehicle, a green Toyota, was located by Columbia police near Route 158 and Route 3 and pursued into St. Clair County. The vehicle was eventually stopped by the use of spike strips deployed in the area of Route 157 and Route 163 near Cahokia, with all occupants detained. Other assisting agencies included Millstadt, Cahokia and Dupo as well as the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.

Nov. 18
Three were arrested on felonies following a routine traffic stop in the 700 block of North Market Street about 9 a.m. Jeffrey Skaggs, 36, of St. Louis, was arrested for possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft, unlawful possession of vehicle title, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance. Sara Vahlkamp, 20, of Freeburg, was arrested for possession of meth, conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft and obstructing identification. Andi Summers, 23, of Cahokia, was arrested for possession of meth, conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft, obstructing ID, possession of a controlled substance and on a Collinsville police warrant. Items from a recent burglary in Monroe County were also recovered as part of this traffic stop, with possible further charges pending.

Pictured is one of the vehicles involved in Wednesday’s crash on Douglas Road. (submitted photo)

A Missouri man was airlifted for injuries sustained in a head-on crash early Wednesday night in the 3800 block of Douglas Road near Floraville Road in rural Millstadt.

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the crash at about 6 p.m.

Police said a 2008 Cadillac driven by Daniel F. Ward, 32, of Cadet, Mo., was traveling west on Douglas Road and swerved into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons, colliding partially head-on with a 2013 Buick driven by Bradley J. Smith, 54, of Smithton.

Ward was transported by ambulance to Belleville Memorial and then airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Smith was also transported to Belleville Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

Ward was found to be driving on a revoked driver’s license, police said, adding it does not appear alcohol played a role in 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
Nov. 21 – Victoria Cule, 35, of Maeystown, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant and for expired registration on Route 3 at Bottom Avenue.

Nov. 23 – Seth Y. Bockman, 30, of High Ridge, Mo., was arrested on an in-state warrant on Route 3 at I-255. 

Nov. 23 – At 9:45 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of East Mulberry Street to investigate a stolen black 2015 Jeep Cherokee with Illinois plates. The female victim told police she knew the suspect. With assistance from the East Alton Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service, the Jeep was recovered in East Alton later in the day and returned to its owner. Charges are pending.

Nov. 25 – Bruce R. Amon, 54, of Barnhart, Mo., was arrested for DUI at Hampton Inn, 165 Admiral Trost Drive.

Illinois State Police
Nov. 26 – Columbia police, fire department and EMS personnel assisted ISP about 5:20 p.m. with a three-vehicle collision on I-255 at the Route 3 exit. Traffic was backed up as a result of the rush hour crash, but no injuries were reported. One of the vehicles involved rolled over as a result of the collision. Another non-injury three-car crash was reported on I-255 eastbound at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge shortly before 6 p.m.

Monroe County Sheriff
Nov. 19 – Michael Shackelford, 49, of Waterloo, was cited for improper use of an electronic device on Route 3 at Park Street.

Nov. 21 – Jon Armington, 20, of Columbia, was issued a county ordinance violation for possession of drug paraphernalia on Route 3 at Gilmore Lake Road.

Nov. 21 –Robert J. Garrett, 64, of Dittmer, Mo., was issued a county ordinance violation for possession of marijuana on Route 3 at North Main Street in Columbia.

Nov. 21 –Thomas L. Beard, 23, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

Nov. 21 –The theft of gasoline from a fuel tank on a residential property in the 9000 block of Bluff Road is under investigation. The suspect vehicle is a dark-colored SUV driven by a female.

Nov. 24 – Adam Radigan, 28, of St. Peters, Mo., was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant on I-255.

Valmeyer Police
Nov. 27 – Emergency personnel responded shortly before 3 p.m. to a rollover crash on Route 156 just east of new Valmeyer. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Valmeyer Police Department, Monroe County EMS and Valmeyer Fire Department all responded to the crash. The female driver of a red Dodge Caliber sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Her car rolled off the roadway onto a nearby farm before coming to rest upright on its wheels.

Waterloo Police
Nov. 14 – Clinton D. Crider, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested for aggravated assault and disorderly conduct following an incident at the Waterloo Applebee’s. Court information alleges that Crider swung his fist at a woman and yelled obscenities inside the restaurant. At the time of the incident, Crider was on probation stemming from a conviction for possession of methamphetamine.

Nov. 16 – Dwight R. Donley, 31, of Waterloo, was arrested on four counts of possession of a controlled substance. 

Nov. 18 – Jeffrey Lance, 30, of Waterloo, was arrested on an in-state warrant in the 300 block of Hoener Street.

Nov. 20 – Adam Brand, 28, of Sullivan, Mo., was arrested for possession of methamphetamine on South Library Street at West Fourth Street.

Nov. 20 – Melaniche Leflore, 18, of Cahokia, was arrested for felony retail theft (more than $300) stemming from 43 items allegedly stolen while she was employed at Walmart between September and November.

Nov. 23 – Destiny Helvey, 36, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery in the alley behind Sunset Motel, 206 S. Market Street.

Nov. 24 – Ronald Jones, 48, of Waterloo, was issued a city ordinance violation for failing to restrain a dog in the 900 block of Forbes Drive.

Nov. 25 – Julia Siebecker, 27, of New Athens, was arrested for battery at 506 W. Mill Street.

Nov. 25 – The report of two teens seen unlawfully entering a vehicle in the 200 block of West Mill Street shortly after 3:40 p.m. is under investigation. 

Pictured is the crash scene Tuesday afternoon west of Waterloo. (James “Tal” Moss photo)

Emergency personnel responded about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday to a two-vehicle crash on Route 156 at Trout Camp Road west of Waterloo that resulted in the death of a Red Bud man.

Illinois State Police said a 2007 Dodge Durango driven by 37-year-old Jesse W. Moll of Red Bud was traveling eastbound on Route 156 when it veered off the roadway to the right and overcorrected to the left, colliding with a westbound Reliable Sanitation garbage truck driven by 38-year-old Steven Leible II of Waterloo.

Moll was pronounced dead at the scene by Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill. Leible was transported by Monroe County EMS to Mercy South in St. Louis County for treatment of minor injuries.

Other agencies responding to the crash scene included the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Waterloo Fire Department.

Route 156 was closed to traffic in the area of the crash until about 8 p.m. Tuesday as ISP investigated the incident.

A Columbia man was charged last week with felony sex and domestic battery crimes involving a female victim.

Austin D. Zimmerman, 27, of Columbia, faces charges of felony criminal sexual assault (use of force), felony aggravated domestic battery (strangling) and misdemeanor domestic battery. He remains at the Monroe County Jail in Waterloo with bond set at $75,000.

On. Nov. 29, Columbia police initiated an investigation into an alleged domestic battery that occurred Nov. 25 at a residence in the 200 block of West Warnock Street. Police also investigated an alleged domestic battery and sex assault that took place at a residence in the 500 block of North Main Street. Zimmerman was arrested on Nov. 30.

An Illinois State Police crime scene unit assisted Columbia police in the investigation.

Zimmerman has been in trouble with police before. On Sept. 22, Columbia police arrested him for domestic battery in the 500 block of North Main Street.

On March 13, Columbia police arrested Zimmerman for unlawful use of a weapon (brass knuckles) on Route 3 at Gilmore Lake Road.

On March 29, 2017, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department arrested Zimmerman for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

Retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Larry Gardner with his retirement cake. (James “Tal” Moss photo)

After 25 years as a member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Larry Gardner retired on Thursday. 

“It’s been an honor to serve the citizens of Monroe County for the last 20-plus years,” the longtime deputy said over the police radio after he finished his final shift. 

Prior to starting with the department in February 1993, Gardner worked in maintenance for a Catholic church and school in his hometown of Cahokia. 

From 1980-1986, he also served in a part-time volunteer role as a deputy marshal. His police officer, who was a Cahokia police officer, encouraged Gardner to become a deputy marshal. 

When he and his family moved to Waterloo, Gardner said he wanted to take his career to the next step. 

“When we moved to Monroe County I wanted to further that,” he remembered. “So I started working part-time and then I had the opportunity to work full-time, so that’s what I did.”

After being hired as a part-time deputy, his first major undertaking was to assist with efforts around the Flood of 1993.

“It was overwhelming at times, seeing all the devastation of the flood,” Gardner said…>>>

Read the rest of the story in the December 5, 2018, newspaper.

If you don’t already receive the Republic-Times newspaper in your mailbox, click here or call 939-3814 to subscribe.

Or consider joining a growing number of readers who receive their news electronically. To view a free demo of the online R-T, click here.

Subscribe to the full-color online edition of the Republic-Times, which is delivered to your inbox every Wednesday by lunchtime and can be accessed anywhere, from any electronic device, for just $25 a year, by clicking here or calling 939-3814.

The student-led organization 1 Goal recently donated $400 to Columbia Caring for Our Community. Pictured are Columbia police officer and the foundation’s president Steve Patton, Jonah James, Sam Bonaldi, Isaac Schreckenberg and Trey Hemminghaus with 1 Goal’s donation. (submitted photo)

The Columbia school district and Columbia Police Department are teaming up once again to bring Christmas cheer to children in need.

The organizations are doing that through the nonprofit Columbia Caring for Our Community Foundation. 

It only became official last year, but the effort is one the district and department have partnered on for years. 

“We felt like we needed to put a name on it just because with the number of families we were helping and our community getting larger, we needed to get the word out there,” said Kelly Landgraf, the foundation’s vice president. 

The foundation’s mission is to “provide food, clothing, holiday gifts and educational supplies to students in need.” 

Its guiding principle is to “provide joy and comfort to the children (in Columbia).” 

It does that by collecting donations of items and money for children in need. The money is then used to buy items on wish lists, which are distributed to the families. 

Candidates are identified through social workers in the school district and by asking Immaculate Conception School if they have any children in need. 

The whole process is confidential…>>> 

Read the rest of the story in the Winter Sports Preview, included in the December 5, 2018, newspaper.

If you don’t already receive the Republic-Times newspaper in your mailbox, click here or call 939-3814 to subscribe.

Or consider joining a growing number of readers who receive their news electronically. To view a free demo of the online R-T, click here.

Subscribe to the full-color online edition of the Republic-Times, which is delivered to your inbox every Wednesday by lunchtime and can be accessed anywhere, from any electronic device, for just $25 a year, by clicking here or calling 939-3814.

Pictured is the crash scene on I-255 near Dupo on Thursday. (James “Tal” Moss photo)

Emergency personnel responded about 9:30 a.m. Thursday to a vehicle crash on I-255 near the Dupo exit that resulted in the death of a young Waterloo man.

The Columbia Fire Department assisted Dupo fire and EMS and Illinois State Police at the scene. Traffic was backed up in both directions as responders worked at the crash site.

Illinois State Police said a 1987 Toyota truck driven by Zane Berner, 21, of Waterloo, was southbound on I-255 when it changed lanes and made contact with the front end of a 2011 Hyundai sedan, causing the truck to lose control and overturn into the northbound shoulder. Berner was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Clair County coroner.

Both occupants of the Hyundai were checked by EMS at the scene and refused medical transport.

A Columbia man entered a guilty plea this week in Monroe County Circuit Court to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Court information states that Matthew Brawley, 27, of Columbia, who was more than five years older than the victim at the time of the incident, committed acts of sexual penetration with a female who was between 13 and 17 years of age.

He was arrested by Columbia police following an October 2017 incident reported in the 900 block of North Main Street.

Brawley will be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2019.

Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony in Illinois and carries a sentence of between three and seven years in prison. A person convicted of this offense must also register as a sex offender.