Rochester Police Beat May and June 2019
A stop was conducted on May 2nd after an officer observed a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit and making several lane violations. The officer noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver’s breath. The driver exhibited several other indicators of impairment including slurred speech and slowed movements. Upon exiting the vehicle the driver stumbled several times and had an unsteady gait. The driver refused to participate in the standard field sobriety test. Nolan Mason of Rochester was arrested and cited for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, disregard for a stop sign and improper traffic lane usage. Mason was transported to the Sangamon County Jail. Jostes towed the vehicle.
A stop was conducted on a vehicle with no working taillights and an expired registration on May 4th. During the stop, it was revealed the driver was suspended. Donald Foster of Edinburg was issued a citation for allegedly driving while license suspended and issued warnings for the alleged taillight violation and the expired registration. A valid driver picked Foster and his vehicle up from the scene.
On May 7th, a vehicle was stopped after the officer noticed the driver talking on her cell phone. The stop revealed the driver’s license was revoked. Rebecca Stone of Springfield was arrested for allegedly driving while license revoked, issued a citation for allegedly having no proof on insurance and issued a warning for using the cell phone while driving. Stone was transported to the Sangamon County Jail. Jostes towed the vehicle.
On May 10th, an officer noticed a vehicle with registration expired as June of 2009. During the stop, it was revealed the driver’s license was suspended and the registration sticker had been altered. Sheena Spencer of Coffeen, IL was cited for allegedly driving while license suspended, improper display of license sticker, failure to transfer title and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The vehicle was towed by Jostes.
After observing a vehicle run a red-light and make several other lane violations, a stop was conducted on May 11th. The individual showed no other indicators of impairment but was having difficulties seeing with the rain. It was revealed the driver’s license was suspended. Angela Gonzalez of Springfield was issued a citation for allegedly driving while license suspended and written warnings for expired registration and improper lane usage. A valid driver picked up Gonzalez and her vehicle.
On May 12th, an officer noticed a vehicle traveling significantly slow on Route 29. The vehicle was also observed making several lane and signaling violations. Making contact with the driver, the officer noticed a handgun under the driver’s leg in the front seat. The firearm was recovered by the officer without incident. The individual displayed several indications of being impaired. Several items of contraband were discovered with in the vehicle including LSD, DMT and several items of paraphernalia. At this time, standard field sobriety test were not conducted due to concern for the individuals safety and he refused a blood draw. It was revealed during the stop the firearm was stolen out of Green Valley. Rigdon Clayton of Green Valley was arrested for the alleged unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a stolen registration sticker and driving under the influence of drug. Clayton was transported to the Sangamon County Jail. Jostes towed the vehicle.
On May 14th, a vehicle with an expired registration was stopped. It was revealed that the driver’s license was suspended. Tyler Smidt of New Berlin was issued citation for allegedly driving while license is suspended, and issued a warning for the expired registration.
Tanya Wilson of Springfield was stopped on May 14th and cited for allegedly driving while license suspended and issued a warning for no proof of insurance. A valid driver picked up Wilson and her vehicle from the scene.
Victor Gasparini was stopped on May 18th and cited for allegedly driving while license suspended and no proof of insurance. It was noticed by the officer during the stop that Gasparini had used registration from another vehicle he owned and attached it to the one he was driving. The vehicle was towed to Jostes until valid registration can be obtained on the vehicle.
Courtney Davidson of Springfield was stopped on May 21st and cited for allegedly driving while license revoked. A valid driver picked Davidson up from the scene. The vehicle was towed by Taylor Brothers.
After running a registration and noticing the vehicle information didn’t match the vehicle, an officer conducted a stop on May 22nd. Lindsey Gumadas of Springfield was cited for allegedly driving while license suspended, improper display of registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. The vehicle was towed by Jostes. A valid driver picked up Gumadas up from the scene.
On May 30th, William Thomas of Pana was stopped and arrested for allegedly driving while license revoked and a valid warrant. When running the passenger to make sure he was valid and could drive the vehicle from the scene, it was revealed he had a warrant as well. Cody Brantley of Pana was arrested on a Christian County warrant. With a Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy’s assistance both individuals were transported to the Sangamon County Jail. A valid driver picked up the vehicle from the scene.
On June 1st, Eric Christine of Edinburg was stopped and arrested for allegedly driving while license suspended. The vehicle was picked up from the scene by a valid driver.
On June 5th, an officer investigated an underage gathering after one of the juveniles ended up in the hospital from ingesting too much Xanax. The juveniles were reportedly smoking marijuana, and taking Xanax at a home with no supervision. The incident was documented and DCFS was notified to investigate the lack of supervision further.
An officer conducted a stop on a vehicle after clocking it traveling 72 in a 55 mph zone on June 11th. During the stop, it was revealed the driver’s license was revoked. Eric Black of Springfield was cited for allegedly driving while license revoked, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and speeding. A valid driver drove from the scene.
Todd Hodges of Springfield was stopped and cited for allegedly driving while license suspended on June 20th. A valid driver picked up Hodges and his vehicle from the scene.
June 24th, an officer responded to a residential burglary in the 400 block of E. Mill. Between the hours of 10:15p.m. and 12:40 a.m. someone entered the residence through the back door which was unlocked and took several items of value including large electronics. The resident stated he had recently been in an argument with some acquaintances of his and he believes they could be responsible. The incident is under investigation.
On June 28th, Cathy Stout of Springfield was stopped and cited for allegedly driving while license suspended. A valid driver drove from the scene.
On June 28 an officer was dispatched to Camelot subdivision for a motor vehicle theft. A resident reported he was approached by a black male who was in need of assistance with his vehicle. The resident was unable to help and went back inside his home. Shortly after, the resident’s dogs started barking and the resident discovered the black male had stolen his vehicle out of his garage. The garage and vehicle were both unsecure and the keys were in the ignition. The individual took off down Route 29 where he eventually crashed into a telephone pole in Taylorville. It was revealed that the original vehicle the individual was driving had also been reported as stolen. Charles Deberry of Decatur was apprehended by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Sangamon County Jail. Illinois State Police handled the accident and processed the vehicle. Our department forwarded charges for the alleged 2 counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. Deberry faces additional charges from other departments.
Mathew Minard of Hoopeston was cited for allegedly driving while license revoked on June 29th. A valid driver drove from the scene.
During an investigation on June 29th, officers received information about two stolen firearms. After conducting numerous interviews, it was determined that several juveniles were involved and various crimes were committed related to the possession and unlawful discharge of the stolen firearms. The juvenile who allegedly stole one of the firearms was taken into custody. Charges were forwarded to Juvenile Probation for all the subjects involved. One of the firearms was recovered by our department. The Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit recovered the other stolen firearm after serving a search warrant.
Criminal Reports
Battery – 1; Burglary Residential – 1; Child Pornography – 1; Criminal Damage to Property – 2; Deceptive Practices – 5; Domestic Battery – 1; Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – 1; Driving Under the Influence of Drug – 1; Harassment by Telephone – 2; Intoxicating Compound – 1; Motor Vehicle Theft – 1; Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1; Possession of Drug Equipment – 1; Possession of Stolen Property – 1; Theft $500 and Over – 1; Theft from a Motor Vehicle – 4; Theft Under $500 – 2; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – 1; Warrants – 1
Traffic Reports
Citations Issued – 71; Warnings Issue – 319
Accident Investigations – 6; Reckless Driving – 1; Suspended / Revoked Drivers License – 15
Calls for Service
Abandoned Vehicle – 1; Animal Related Calls – 15; Assist Fire Department – 39; Assist Other Governmental Agency – 9; Assist Other Police Agency – 35; Assist Schools – 15; Building / Business Checks – 36; Burglar Alarms – 10; Civil/Citizen Assists – 34; Disturbance – 3; Domestic Trouble – 3; Fingerprinting – 2; Fires – 1; Lost or Recovered Articles – 2; Loud Noise Complaint – 1; Mental Cases – 3; Missing Persons – 1; Motorist Assists – 18; Neighborhood Trouble – 4; Suspicious Person / Vehicle – 43; Thoroughfare Obstructions – 5; Vacation Watches – 91