Springfield, Illinois – At approximately 8:12 p.m., on February 3, 2024, Sangamon County Deputies responded to a report of a person down in the roadway at the mobile home park located at 1236 North Oaklane Road. A resident of the mobile home park discovered a person lying in the road. Riverton Fire Department responded to the scene and determined the individual was deceased, and suffered injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. Investigation led Deputies to the identity of the 36 y/ female victim.
Deputies were able to follow a trail of blood back to the roadway in front of Lot 131. Witnesses on scene reported a blue Jeep as possibly being involved. Investigation led Deputies to potential occupants of that trailer, and an associated blue 2019 Jeep. Based on this information, 53 year-old Steven Mehundrew was identified as a suspect.
At approximately 10:18 p.m., Mehundrew’s vehicle was located by a license plate reader camera at Dirksen Parkway and Clearlake Avenue. Deputies and Springfield Police Officers responded to the area and quickly located Mehundrew’s vehicle, and conducted a traffic stop in the 2400 block of East South Grand Avenue. Mehundrew was taken into custody and transported to the Sheriff’s Office. Suspected blood was located on Mehundrew’s 2019 blue Jeep, and it was seized as evidence.
Mehundrew was taken to the Sangamon County Jail after being interviewed by detectives.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon identified the female victim struck by the motor vehicle as Alexandria Estrada, 36, of Springfield. He informed us that she was pronounced deceased at the scene. Coroner Allmon conducted an autopsy, and preliminary findings suggested that Ms. Estrada died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a pedestrian versus motor vehicle incident.
Mehundrew has since been charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with failure to report a crash that resulted in a death, a Class 1 felony, two counts of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, also Class 1 felonies, and a crash injury resulting in a death, a Class 4 felony. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office has asked a judge to keep Mehundrew in custody and deny him pre-trial release, but as of the time of this article, it has not yet been determined if the judge will hold Mehundrew.
According to social media accounts, Mehundrew and Estrada were in a relationship. Additionally, Sheriff Campbell has confirmed to us that they lived together.
This matter remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Springfield, Illinois – At approximately 8:12 p.m., on February 3, 2024, Sangamon County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a person down in the roadway at the mobile home park located at 1236 North Oaklane Road. A resident of the mobile home park discovered a person lying in the road. Riverton Fire Department responded to the scene and determined the individual was deceased, and suffered injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. Investigation led Deputies to the identity of the 36 y/o female victim.
Deputies were able to follow a trail of blood back to the roadway in front of Lot 131. Witnesses on scene reported a blue Jeep as possibly being involved. The Investigation led Deputies to potential occupants of that trailer, and an associated blue 2019 Jeep. Based on that information, 53 year-old Steven Mehundrew was identified as a suspect.
At approximately 10:18 p.m., Mehundrew’s vehicle was located by a license plate reader camera at Dirksen Parkway and Clearlake Avenue. Deputies and Springfield Police Officers responded to the area and quickly located Mehundrew’s vehicle, and conducted a traffic stop in the 2400 block of East South Grand Avenue. Mehundrew was taken into custody and transported to the Sheriff’s Office. Suspected blood was located on Mehundrew’s 2019 blue Jeep, and it was seized as evidence.
Mehundrew was taken to the Sangamon County Jail after being interviewed by detectives. Mehundrew was charged with 1st Degree Murder, Reckless Homicide, Leaving the Scene of an Accident involving death or injury, and Failure to Report an Accident involving death or injury.
It’s believed that Mehundrew and the victim lived together at 1236 North Oaklane #131.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Riverton and Springfield Police Departments for their prompt response and assistance on this case.
This matter remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks for updates on this story.
Third Base Bar, located at 410 W. Maple Ave S., in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois – On February 4th at 2:09 a.m. the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, received a call of an unruly crowd at 3rd Base Bar, 410 W. Maple Ave S., Springfield.
Immediately following, a call of shots fired came in at the bar.
Deputies arrived and located a male victim, 31-year-old Devonte L. Childs. He was transported to Memorial Hospital with originally life-threatening injuries. However, as of yesterday afternoon, his condition was reported to us as stable.
Video showed an altercation, a black male suspect retrieve a weapon from a vehicle, and fire at the victim. The suspect and several other people got into a vehicle and fled the scene.
The suspect was described as a black male, tall and medium build. Dreadlock style haircut, shoulder length.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell informs us that evidence was collected at the scene.
Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks as we gather additional information regarding this shooting.
(Left) Former Menard County Sheriff’s Deputy, Kelsey M. Wooldridge (Right) A bicyclist at a triathlon who was nearly struck due to Wooldridge’s reckless driving
According to internal investigation reports we received, Wooldridge came under investigation after she crashed her squad car while assigned to a traffic control detail for a triathlon that occurred in Menard County on May 6, 2023 (VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE). According to records, at 10:35 a.m., Wooldridge was involved in a single-vehicle crash not far from the location where she was assigned to perform traffic control duties. She lost control of her patrol car when she entered a curve too fast, nearly striking a bicyclist before crashing into the ditch and coming to a rest in a nearby farm field. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance, evaluated for injuries as a result of the crash, and was released.
Menard County Sheriff Mark Oller and Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Hollis reviewed Wooldridge’s in-car camera footage and documented their observations. “During the review of the video, it was noted that she left her assigned post and began accelerating rapidly. She drove off the road onto the shoulder multiple times and crossed the centerline into the left lane. She then entered the curve traveling at approximately 74 mph, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed. When the vehicle was out of control, a nearby bicyclist was nearly struck by the vehicle. The bicyclist was observed on video, jumping off the bicycle to attempt to avoid being struck.” The Deputy Sheriff continued in his report and wrote, “Kelsey notified dispatch via radio of the crash, but much of the information she provided to dispatch was confusing and did not make sense.” (CLICK HERE TO READ THE RADIO TRAFFIC)
In a meeting on May 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Sheriff Oller and Chief Deputy Sheriff Hollis met with Wooldridge at the Sheriff’s Office. According to notes, the meeting was not disciplinary, but it was to determine what had happened to cause the crash and to determine if Wooldridge was medically okay. According to notes from that meeting, Wooldridge said that she had decided to leave her post briefly to check on the oncoming bicyclists. She said that she did not realize she was driving that fast and had no explanation for why she was doing so. When asked why she was driving so poorly before the crash, she said she did not know. She stated, “I was so tired, I just wanted it to get done so I could leave” and restated, “I just needed to get out of there for a minute.” Chief Deputy Sheriff Hollis noted that she stressed how she “needed to get out of there” but had no explanation for why.
At the meeting, Wooldridge was also shown the footage from her in-car video system. She said, “It looks like someone who drives drunk.” However, there were no reports from emergency personnel that responded to the crash indicating she had consumed alcohol. It was noted that Wooldridge was insistent about not being under the influence of alcohol or any other compounds while at work that day. During the meeting, it was also noted that while Wooldridge was speaking, at some point she began to cry and explained that she was suffering from a medical condition that was not disclosed to us. She said that she was “so tired” all the time and experienced a lot of stress. She also mentioned that on the day of her crash, it was her mother’s birthday. She said, “that day is supposed to be a happy day, but it wasn’t.”
Wooldridge was told to go home for the rest of the day and that she could return to work the next day, on May 10, 2023. Chief Deputy Sheriff Hollis reported that as he was making contacts, gathering information, and evaluating her fitness to return to work, at approximately 2:18 p.m., he received a text message from Wooldridge. “I reviewed the text message and saw that it was a photograph with no message. The photograph was of a wall with a hole in it and nearby furniture post with damage. From my training and experience, I believed the hole and damage to have been caused by a bullet.” Chief Deputy Sheriff Hollis said he replied to the message and asked what it was. Wooldridge responded and said, “That was about 2-3 years ago,” “It’s a bullet hole.” Chief Deputy Hollis said he asked how it happened, and Wooldridge responded, “I’d show you the one in my fence, but we took that down. [Name withheld] doesn’t know about the one in the fence.” Chief Deputy Hollis then told Wooldridge that he would be coming to her residence and asked her to meet with him outside.
Chief Deputy Hollis said he immediately went to Wooldridge’s residence in Petersburg and called her outside to sit in his squad car so they could talk. “Kelsey began to cry and said that the bullet holes were from times in the past when she (Information Withheld). She said that both times she didn’t (Information Withheld) but still fired the weapon. We continued to talk, and I asked her if (Information Withheld). She didn’t answer that question right away, and she told me, “I’m not religious, I should be more, but I’m not.” She said that (Name Withheld) is aware of (Information Withheld) but tells her they will continue to work on them. She stated several times how much she loved (Information/Name Withheld). At one point during the conversation, Kelsey said (Information Withheld) but then she immediately stopped what she was saying, as if she wanted to retract what she said. I told her that I had no choice but to (Information Withheld), and she said she understood. I also explained to her that we would be taking her agency-issued weapons and any other firearms in the house, and she said she understood and agreed.
Chief Deputy Hollis also stated that the Wooldridge residence is in a residential neighborhood, surrounded by other houses. He added that there’s a church parking lot to the east of her house. “Discharging a firearm in this area is unsafe and a danger to anyone else in the area,” Chief Deputy Hollis noted. He said he informed Sheriff Oller and asked him to meet at Wooldridge’s house. While they waited, Wooldridge said she had fired her gun at home once after her friend died. Chief Deputy Hollis remembered her taking the day off work when her friend died, which was less than 2-3 years ago. After he made this statement, she agreed.
Chief Deputy Hollis reported that while waiting for Sheriff Oller, an individual whose identity was withheld arrived at the residence. He stated that he spoke with the individual and informed them of the situation, explaining that Wooldridge would be going to a location whose name was also withheld. Chief Deputy Hollis informed the individual that they would need to collect all agency-owned firearms/weapons from the residence, and any other privately owned guns would need to be removed or transferred to a responsible party.
Chief Deputy noted that while transporting Wooldridge to the undisclosed location, he had a conversation with her during which she shared her feelings about certain days, expressing a lack of family support. She mentioned instances of personal struggles and stated that she would never want to harm anyone else.
Wooldridge then described past incidents of firing a gun at home, including the picture she sent to Deputy Chief Hollis and a hole in the fence. She shared emotions related to a previous event that was not disclosed in this report. It was also noted that she said she was also having a very difficult time dealing with the fact that she had nearly killed the bicyclist when she crashed her squad car. “She continually apologized to me, and I told her she owed me no apology and I was very glad she had reached out,” Chief Deputy Hollis wrote. “I asked her if there was anything else I need to know about, and she said she thought she had told me everything at this point.”
The next day, on May 11, 2023, a letter was prepared to give to Wooldridge to notify her of her continued leave, but at 3:32 p.m., prior to Deputy Chief Hollis stating he was going to her residence to give her the letter, he and Sheriff Oller were notified of a 911 call at Wooldridge’s residence.
According to a separate report, Sheriff Oller, Chief Deputy Hollis, Sergeant Jason Foulk, Sheriff Deputy Jason Huffman, all from the Menard County Sheriff’s Office, and Petersburg Police Department Assistant Chief Royce Shamhart and Menard County EMS, responded to Wooldridge’s residence after receiving a call regarding a possible overdose from ingestion of an unknown chemical. Sgt. Foulk reported that upon arrival at the residence, he was informed that Wooldridge had consumed some sort of spray and had then vomited, which was probably the chemical. “I was able to get the bottle of chemical,” he reported. “I observed the bottle was Nature’s Miracle just for cats no more spraying. The bottle was completely empty when I picked up the bottle.” Deputy Huffman and Wooldridge walked to the ambulance, and Wooldridge was placed on the cot and transported to the hospital.
Wooldridge was cited as violating several Menard County Sheriff’s policies:
Policy #305:
Wooldridge violated policy #305 (specifically 305.5 and 305.7) by failing to safely handle firearms. This occurred on two separate instances, when Wooldridge self-admitted that she fired a weapon inside her home and through a fence in her backyard. Wooldridge resides in a residential neighborhood, with her residence surround by other residences. Also, to the east of her residence is a parking lot utilized for a church. The two reported discharges are not only unsafe and negligent, but may be criminal in nature as well. Furthermore, secant 305.7 requires members to report the discharge of a firearm unless for recreational use or euthanizing an injured animal.
Policy #307:
Section 307.2(c) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may (625 ILCS 5.11-205) exceed the speed limits so long as he/she does not endanger life or property.
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is not relieved from the duty of driving with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his/her reckless disregard for the safety of others (625 ILCS 5/11-205(e))
Section 307.4 Deputies/Officers shall exercise sound judgement and care with due regard for life and property when respond to an emergency call. Deputies/Officers shall reduce speed at all street intersection to such a degree that they shall have complete control of the vehicle
Wooldridge violated these sections of the policy and state statue by exceeding the speed limit with reasonable justification and nearly striking a bicyclist, which is evidence by the footage from the in-car video system.
Policy #320:
Section 320.4 Members shall conduct themselves, whether on- or off duty, in accordance with the United States and Illinois constitutions and all applicable laws, ordinances, and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority. Members shall familiarize themselves with policies and procedures and are responsible for compliance with each.
Section 320.5 The following are illustrative of causes for disciplinary action. This list is not intended to cover every possible type of misconduct and does not preclude the recommendation of disciplinary action for violation of other rules, standard, ethics and specific action or inaction that is detrimental to efficient agency service. 320.5.1 (c) Violation of federal, state, local or administrative laws, rules or regulations.
Wooldridge’s conduct, as referenced in the internal investigation report, violated multiple state statues and agency policies. The policies and statues are detailed below.
Section 320.5.5 (a) Leaving the job to which the member is assigned during duty hours without a reasonable excuse and proper permission and approval.
Wooldridge left her assignment of traffic control on 05/06/23 without justification or approval from a supervisor. There was not legitimate explanation for why she did this.
Section 320.5.7 (a) Neglect of Duty (b) Unsatisfactory work performance including but not limited to failure, incompetence, inefficiency, or delay in performance and/or carrying out proper orders, work assignments, or the instruction of supervisors without a reasonable and bona fide excuse.
Wooldridge left her assigned post and duties on 05/06/23, without justification or approval from a superior. No reasonable explantation for doing so was provided by Wooldridge.
Section 320.5.8 (a) Failure to disclose or misrepresenting material facts, or making any false or misleading statement on any application, examination form, or other official document, report or form, or during the Cours of any work-related investigation. (b) The falsification of any work-related records, making misleading entries or statement with the intent to deceive. (c) Failure to participate in, or giving false or misleading statements, or misrepresenting or omitting material information to a supervisor or other person in a position of authority, in connection with any investigation or in the reporting of any office-related business.
Wooldridge violated his policy by providing false information to dispatch, other deputies, and supervisors after the crash occurred on 05/06/23. Wooldridge made references to a vehicle that she was allegedly attempting to locate. A review of the in-car video showed no evidence to support Wooldridge’s statement. After a thorough investigation, Wooldridge’s account of incidents prior to and during the traffic crash were proven to be false.
Section 320.5.9 (h) Criminal dishonest, or disgraceful conduct, whether on- or off-duty, that adversely affect the member’s relationship with this office. (m) Any other on- or off-duty conduct which any member knows or reasonably should know is unbecoming a member of this office, in contrary to good order, efficiency or morale, or tends to reflect unfavorable upon this office or its members.
Wooldridge violated this policy by recklessly and unsafely discharging a firearm in and outside her home on two occasions (self-admitted) and by recklessly and unsafely operating her agency-owned squad car.
Section 320.5.10 (a) Failure to observe or violation agency safety standards or safe working practices. (d) Unsafe firearm or other dangerous weapon handling to include loading or unloading firearms in an unsafe manner, either on- or off-duty. (f) Unsafe or improper driving habits or actions in the course of employment or appointment. (g) Any personal action contributing to a preventable traffic crash.
Wooldridge violated this policy by recklessly and unsafely discharging a firearm in and outside her home on two occasions (self-admitted) and by recklessly and unsafely operating her agency-owned squad car. Discharged rounds from a firearm could have very easily struck another person in the area of Wooldridge’s home. Wooldridge failed to safely operate her agency-owned squad, exceeding the speed limit, driving off the roadway and into the oncoming lane, and nearly striking a bicyclist. She was involved in a preventable traffic crash that was caused by her own actions without any justification.
Wooldridge violated state statutes, including but not limited to:
625 ILCS 5/11-205: Public officers and employees to obey Act-Exceptions
625 ILCS 5/11-502: Reckless Driving
625 ILCS 5/11-601(a): Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident
625 ILCS 5/11-601(b): Speeding – Over Statutory Limit
625 ILCS 5/11-701: Driving in the wrong lane
625 ILCS 5/11-709: Improper lane usage
720 ILCS 5/24-1.5: Reckless discharge of a Firearm
720 ILCS 5/12-5: Reckless conduct
It was also noted that Policy 320.5.1 (c) states that members shall not violate federal, state, local or administrative laws, rules or regulations.
Editor’s Note: Upon Springfield Leaks’ review of the policies Wooldridge violated, it appears that a specific policy she violated is cited but redacted from the report. However, we are considering appealing this redaction with the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor or filing a lawsuit to challenge it.
Springfield, Illinois – On January 20, 2024, around 9:38 p.m., Sgt. Michael Raynolds, Officers Eric Wise, David Craven, and Corey Cortes, who are officers of the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit, were on patrol traveling eastbound in the 700 block of E. Laurel Street. They reported that they observed a silver Chevrolet sedan at the stop sign at 8th and Laurel Street and the sedan was facing south bound.
They report that the vehicle then turned eastbound on Laurel Street and appeared to accelerate quickly. Officer Cortes noted, “It appeared the driver of this vehicle was attempting to gain distance between their vehicle and our squad for an unknown reason.” The vehicle reportedly also had a broken rear taillight on the passenger side, showing a white light.
As the Street Crimes Unit officers continued to follow the vehicle, they stated that it continued eastbound on Laurel Street and then turned northbound into the alleyway located in the 1000 block of E. Laurel Street towards Spruce Street. The officers say they turned northbound on 11th Street and observed the same silver Chevrolet sedan now traveling eastbound on Spruce Street and coming up to the stop sign on Spruce and Laurel Street. “The driving pattern of this vehicle did not make any sense, and it appeared they were only trying to distance themselves from our police presence,” Officer Cortes reported.
A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle while it was stopped at the stop sign at Spruce and Laurel. As officers approached the vehicle, they detected a mixed odor of raw and burnt cannabis coming from inside the vehicle. They also observed a cannabis-filled cigarillo with a burnt end and smoke still coming from it, which they said was visibly clear that they were smoking cannabis.
Officer Cortes said he knocked on the passenger side window for the passenger to open the door since it appeared that the window would not be able to be rolled down due to it having tape on it. The passenger, who was identified as Jordan T. Durbin, age 19, was asked to step out of the vehicle so a search of the vehicle could be performed. Durbin was searched, and officers found a black gun holster containing a black Smith&Wesson M&P 9 Shield 9mm semi-automatic pistol inside the front of his pants waistline. The gun was loaded, and a round was in the chamber. Officers checked records and it showed that Jordan did not have a valid FOID card nor a Conceal Carry License.
Jordan was taken to the Springfield Police Department for questioning. He was read his Miranda Rights and questioned about the pistol. Jordan told officers that the pistol belonged to him and that he found the pistol in the alleyway near 8th and Black Street a couple of weeks ago.
Jordan was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and has been charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Firearm, a class 4 felony, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a class A misdemeanor. He was granted pre-trial release and released from the Sangamon County Jail.
(Left) Jarrod L. Bennett – Picture displayed on the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry list (Right) Jarrod L. Bennett in a picture on a Facebook Post that advertises his business Third Dimension Printing
Rochester, Illinois – A sex offender has now been criminally charged after being observed in a Rochester, Illinois Park, approximately 200 feet from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association kids’ zone.
On October 21, 2023, Rochester Police Chief Tim Sommer was on foot patrol at the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival hosted in the Rochester Community Park. Chief Sommer stated that he was approached by a short, large-built white male with short brown hair, short facial hair, and wearing glasses. Chief Sommer reported that the man greeted him and mentioned that he was a vendor for the festival, stating his business name as “Third Dimension Printing” and that he sold household items made with a 3D printer. The man was later identified as Jarrod L. Bennett, age 36.
Chief Sommer said Jarrod pointed across Wildrose Lane and showed him the location of his vendor tent (vendor E region). “His vendor tent was located approximately 200 feet from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association kids’ zone and another child activity area,” Chief Sommer reported. “Several kids were in attendance at the festival.
A map of the Vendor Locations
Three days later, on October 24, 2023, Chief Sommer said that he received an email regarding Jarrod. The email reported that Jarrod is a registered child sex offender and was a vendor at the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival. Chief Sommer stated that he confirmed Jarrod’s status as a sex offender by running his name through a law enforcement database, as well as locating a Child Sex Offender profile through the registry on the Illinois State Police website. Chief Sommer mentioned that the pictures matched the male with whom he had spoken in the park during the fall festival.
Chief Sommer also mentioned viewing a Facebook post on the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival Facebook Page that mentioned “Jarrod” (Third Dimension Printing) as a vendor for the festival. The post, which Springfield Leaks has reviewed and confirmed to still be visible on their Facebook page, has a picture of Jarrod and says, “Meet our Vendors! Meet Jarrod and Britney! They are a locally owned family business offering 3D printing services and custom artwork! They regularly stock dragons, octopus, many various keychains, cookie cutters, skulls, special turtles, and lizards! B.B. Creative arts is also a part of their company. Britney offers many various artworks in many amazing mediums! They LOVE creating special orders, especially practical ones! Britney also occasionally takes on commission work at her discretion. They are also Santa friendly and can discreetly arrange delivery via Santa on Christmas! Check them out at Third Dimension Printing on Facebook or Tik Tok.”
Facebook post on the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival Facebook Page that mentioned “Jarrod” (Third Dimension Printing) as a vendor for the festival.
On January 19, 2024, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Jarrod: two counts of being a Sex Offender in a Public Park. One count is a class 4 felony, and the other count is a class A misdemeanor.
A notice was mailed to Jarrod for him to appear in Sangamon County Court on February 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Pawnee, Illinois – At 7:08 a.m., Sangamon County Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an overturned truck in the 12700 block of Pawnee Road.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 29-year-old male, the sole occupant of the vehicle, who was partially ejected from the 2007 GMC truck. American Ambulance and Pawnee EMS arrived on the scene and pronounced the male subject deceased.
The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, has identified the 29-year-old man killed in the motor vehicle incident on Pawnee Road.
Sean Donahue of Springfield was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident.
An autopsy has been conducted, and preliminary findings suggest Mr. Donahue died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell stated that the initial investigation by the Sheriff’s Office indicates the truck was traveling northbound, left the roadway on the east side, and hit a culvert, causing the vehicle to flip. The airbag deployed, and at this time, it appears that the seatbelt was not utilized.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
Map view of 12700 block of Pawnee Road in Pawnee, Illinois
Pawnee, Illinois – At 7:08 a.m., Sangamon County Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an overturned truck in the 12700 block of Pawnee Road.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 29-year-old male, the sole occupant of the vehicle, who was partially ejected from the 2007 GMC truck. American Ambulance and Pawnee EMS arrived on the scene and pronounced the male subject deceased.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell stated that the initial investigation by the Sheriff’s Office indicates the truck was traveling northbound, left the roadway on the east side, and hit a culvert, causing the vehicle to flip. The airbag deployed, and at this time, it appears that the seatbelt was not utilized.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon says that an autopsy will be performed tomorrow.
Springfield, Illinois – On January 5, 2024, a member of the Boss Playa’s gang in Springfield was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Aggravated Battery, a class 3 felony.
According to reports on October 2, 2019, around 12:48 p.m., Springfield Police responded to a stabbing at White Oaks Mall located at 2501 Wabash Ave. The victim told police that he was in Finish Line when he saw Paul Davis, age 31, and Latronze Kelly, age 32, and Herman Gales, age 31, walking into the store and started trying to get him to fight. The victim said he tried to walk way, but they followed him out into the mall. The victim said once they were out in the mall, one of the suspects took him to the ground and the other suspect, Davis, hit him in the right thigh with a knife.
The victim was taken to Memorial Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries to his leg.
After interviewing multiple witnesses, Springfield Police arrested Davis, Gales, and Kelly for Armed Robbery (a class X felony), Robbery (a class 2 felony), Aggravated Battery (a class 3 felony), and Mob Action (a class 4 felony). Davis was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be served at 50 percent, and he was given credit for 905 days. Gales pled guilty to Aggravated Battery (a class 3 felony) and will be sentenced on January 18, 2024. The charges against Kelly were dropped due to his death resulting from a shooting on December 10, 2020, in the parking lot of Wendy’s at 2901 Lindbergh Boulevard; no suspects were arrested in connection with his homicide.
Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Park District arrested a man after he was accused of shooting at a DoorDash driver who was taking a break at Bergen Park, located at 2900 E. Clear Lake Avenue.
On December 27, 2023, around 8:32 p.m., Springfield Park Police Sergeant Jason Morrison was dispatched to Bergen Park for a person with a weapon. The suspect, who was later identified as Mark L. Weems, 28 years old, was described as a tall, thin black male wearing a black ski mask and a black hooded sweatshirt with white lettering on the front. The suspect had allegedly broken the caller’s window and fled towards Casey’s gas station.
Sgt. Morrison met with the victim at Caseys, and the victim stated that he was parked in the southeast area of the golf course parking lot eating his food while taking a break from door dashing. The victim stated that an unknown black male, identified as Mark L. Weems, approached the passenger side of his vehicle and attempted to open the door while yelling for the victim to open it. The victim said he yelled back, “no.” The victim said Weems then walked to his driver’s door, attempted to open it, and then pulled a pistol from his pocket, tapping on the glass of the driver’s door and yelling for him to open it again. The victim again refused to open the door. The victim said Weems then walked to the rear of his vehicle and broke out his rear window. The victim stated that’s when he put his vehicle in reverse and backed up to get away from the area. However, the victim believes that he may have also hit Weems while backing up and that Weems had shot out his window.
According to Sgt. Morrison’s observation, he looked at the damage to the vehicle and reported that he saw a tear/hole in the middle headrest of the victim’s vehicle, although he couldn’t find any shell casings in the cargo area of the vehicle.
Officers with the Springfield Police Department also assisted with the call and located the initial scene at the park and recovered shell casings and live rounds.
Sgt. Morrison said while he was speaking with the victim, Springfield Police Officer Vaughan had located a male (Weems) matching the description at Dirksen and Linden. Weems also had on him a .22 caliber pistol in his right front pocket, which was loaded with a round in the chamber. The victim was taken to Officer Vaughan’s location for a show-up identification, and the victim identified Weems as the suspect who attempted to enter his car and shot at his back window.
Weems was then transferred to the custody of Sgt. Morrison, but was advised by Officer Vaughan that Weems made a spontaneous utterance that he was in the park and had been in an altercation. Weems was not cooperative in giving his name and would only say that it was MJ Weems and that he was a junior. Weems ultimately provided Sgt. Morrison with his full name and date of birth, and Sgt. Morrison read him his Miranda Rights. Weems agreed to speak with Sgt. Morrison and stated that he had left his house on E. Enos Ave. to go for a walk. Weems stated that he encountered the victim at the park, and the victim began yelling at him from his vehicle. The victim got out of his vehicle and began yelling and “talking shit” to him. Weems then stated the victim began grabbing at his pockets, and at that time Weems retrieved his .22 caliber pistol from his pocket and fired one round into the victim’s rear window. Weems then stated that the victim ran him over with his car and left the park. Sgt. Morrison said Weems then stopped explaining the events that occurred and began asking questions about bond, release, and how many and what charges he got.
Weems was taken to the Sangamon County Jail, where, according to Sangamon County Corrections Officers, they found a live .22 caliber round in Weems’ pocket. Weems was ultimately turned away from the jail after staff advised that Weems would need a medical evaluation due to him being struck by a vehicle. Weems was taken to St. John’s hospital for evaluation and was medically cleared and ultimately booked into the Sangamon County Jail.
Weems was charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a class 1 felony, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a class 4 felony. Weems was granted pre-trial release and was released from the Sangamon County Jail. A Sangamon County Judge also issued a temporary order for Weems to have no contact with the victim.
The following items were also booked into evidence:
Two .22 caliber spent shell casings located at Bergen Park
A written statement from the victim
Two live .22 caliber rounds located at Bergen Park
One live .22 caliber round located in Weems pocket
Rear center headrest from rear seat with tear/hole with possible .22 caliber round in headrest
