MT. VERNON – On Friday, January 5th, 2018, at 2141 hours, officers from the Mt. Vernon Police Department responded to the Dollar Tree, 4511 Broadway, for a report of an attempted burglary. Employees reported that a white male subject had entered the office area of the store and attempted to break into the safe. The offender was confronted by an employee and ran from the store.

At 2207 hours, officers responded to Time Square Liquor West, 206 South 42nd Street, for a report of an attempted armed robbery where a handgun was displayed. The offender, who matched the description of the offender from the Dollar Tree attempted burglary, fled the scene without taking anything from the store.

Callie Buchannan

At 2223 hours, officers responded to the Wal-mart Supercenter, 110 Davidson Drive. An employee of the Dollar Tree reported seeing the offender from their attempted burglary at the Wal-Mart store. Officers responded to Wal-mart and made contact with the suspect, 26-year-old Callie J.L. Buchanan of Johnston City. During the investigation, officers were able to identify Buchanan as the offender in the Attempted Burglary at the Dollar Store and offender for the Attempted Armed Robbery of Time Square Liquor. Additionally, Buchanan was found to have stolen property from the Wal-mart Store.

Detectives from the Mt. Vernon Police Department were called in to assist with the investigation. Detectives obtained a search warrant for a vehicle that Buchanan possessed and located property used during the commission of the crimes.

Buchanan has been incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center on charges of Burglary, Aggravated Armed Robbery and Felony Retail Theft with bond to be set.

Buchanan is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Here is some surveillance video provided to WSIL-TV in which the clerk at Times Square Liquors chased Buchanan  out of the store with a knife.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37219548/jefferson-county-cashier-chases-armed-crook-out-of-store

BENTON –  A Carbondale man was killed in a crash Saturday night on I-57.

Please click on the link for preliminary information from Brandon Richard of WSIL-TV.  More information will be added as it becomes available.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37210082/carbondale-man-killed-in-semi-vs-car-crash-on-i-57

Being prepared could save your life

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources graphic.

BENTON –  All of the alleged are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

12-29-17 at 11:19 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of a 16 year old male juvenile for driving under the influence of drugs. Drug paraphernalia was also recovered pursuant to a K-9 search of the vehicle. A 17-year old male passenger was also taken into custody as he had been reported as a runaway. The 16 year old was released to his parents and the 17 year old was  taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services  Both juveniles were from Mt. Vernon.

12-30-17 at 4:28 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Forrest Baptist Church at intersection with south Forest Baptist Church Rd. A 2004 Chevrolet Impala driven by Brett R. Eubanks age 28 of Benton was north bound and failed to negotiate the curve, striking a tree. The driver received major injuries and was transported to an out of state hospital. The driver will be cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The accident is still under investigation as alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

12-30-17 at 6:58 am Deputies responded to a dispute between two hunters north of Whittington. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jerry W. Ing age 23 of Sesser for battery.

12-30-17 at 10:52 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on ll. State Hwy. 154 at Gun Creek Trail. A 2008 Dodge Durango driven by Ryan L. Sieveking age 40 of Ewing, was turning west on Rt. 154 and failed to yield to a 2016 Nissan Versa driven by Shelby Kail age 26 of Stoughton Wisconsin, which had been east bound on Rt. 154. There were no injuries; however Sieveking fled the scene on foot prior to the arrival of officers. A search for Sieveking was conducted and utilized by the Sheriff’s K-9. The K-9 was able to successfully track Sieveking to the Rend Lake Season’s Lodge successfully identifying the apartment he had fled to. Sieveking was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, felony driving under the influence of alcohol, and failing to yield right of way.

1-2-18 at 6:32 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on N. Thompsonville Road near the coal mine. A 2017 GMC Sierra driven by Mason K. Mccord age 33 of West Frankfort, was north bound and rear ended a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 driven by Donald E. Norris age 39 of Pittsburg that was also north bound that had slowed to negotiate a left turn. There were no injuries and Mccord was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

1-3-18 at 12:01 p, Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Ewing Rd. at Log Cabin Rd. A 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Stephen L. Friar age 68 of Ewing was south bound on Log Cabin Road and failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of with Ewing Rd. and struck a 2011 Dodge Durango, driven by Melissa D. Diefenback age 40 of Macedonia that was east bound on Ewing Rd. Both drivers received major injuries and were air evacuated out to out of state hospitals. Friar was ticketed for disobeying a stop sign.

1-4-18 Deputies are investigation a major residential burglary that occurred at a home in rural north eastern Franklin County. Several long guns were reported stolen and leads are actually being pursued. The public is reminded that most residential burglaries are committed during daylight hours and to please report suspicious activity.

WARRANT ARRESTS

12-30-17 Eric E. Rich age 46 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for domestic battery
1-5-18 Jennifer R. Shelton age 28 of Thompsonville. Failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance
1-5-18 Kendall W. Miller age 42 of Thompsonville. Battery