Springfield, Illinois – On Sunday, November 5, 2023, at around 12:26 a.m., Springfield Police Officer Jared Spaid responded to 224 1/2 N. Douglas for a report of a domestic battery. While attempting to speak with the suspect, Officer Spaid reported that the suspect pointed what appeared to be a real Glock handgun from inside the residence at him and at the father of his girlfriend. The suspect was arrested after a short stand-off, booked into the Sangamon County Jail, and later released on the same day.

Springfield Officer Spaid reported that when he arrived on scene he met with the caller’s father. They walked up to the residence and met with the victim at the front door of the residence. The victim told Officer Spaid that she was at the residence attempting to get her glasses out of the residence and that she was leaving due to getting into a physical altercation with her boyfriend, who was identified as Deangelo V. Allgood, age 24.

The woman said that during the altercation Allgood had kicked her in the butt while arguing.

Officer Spaid reported that while at the front door, trying to make contact with Allgood, the woman’s father was yelling at Allgood, expressing his anger that Allgood had battered his daughter. Officer Spaid reported that he could hear a voice from inside the residence saying something along the lines of, “I’m going to rain hellfire if I come out there.”

Officer Spaid then witnessed Allgood open the blind on the west side of the house, just south of the front door. When Allgood opened the blind, he tapped a black pistol against the glass of the window. Allgood pointed the pistol directly at Officer Spaid while peering out of the window with his face against the glass. Officer Spaid stated that he believed it was a real Glock handgun that Allgood was aiming at them.

Officer Spaid wrote in his report that he and the woman’s father “were immediately in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery from the handgun pointed at them.”

Springfield Police Officers were able to reach Allgood by phone and ordered him to come out of the residence after a large presence of police officers surrounded the house and repeatedly ordered him to exit the residence unarmed. Allgood told officers on the phone that he pointed a gun out the window but didn’t know police were outside. Allgood told officers it was a BB gun.

Springfield Police Officers obtained a search warrant for the house and found “a realistic looking Glock brand BB Gun” inside the house on the floor of the living room. Officer Spaid reported that the BB gun looked like the gun that was pointed towards him and the woman’s father.

Allgood was taken to the Sangamon County Jail, where Springfield Police officers recommended that he be charged with Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a Class 4 felony, and Aggravated Assault by Using a Deadly Weapon/Air Rifle, a Class A misdemeanor. According to jail officials, Allgood was released from custody later on the same day. As of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, Allgood had not been criminally charged.

Springfield, Illinois – A Springfield woman has been arrested and charged with arson for setting fire to her parent’s house while they and her daughter were asleep inside. This incident occurred just 9 days after she was served an order of protection to stay away from her parent’s residence. Arson investigators have determined that the house is a complete loss, with the estimated total value of damage at approximately $90,000.

On October 21, 2023 around 3:23 a.m., the Springfield Fire Department and Springfield Police Department responded to a structure fire at 817 N. Indiana. Police report that the house was fully engulfed with flames and that flames were coming out of the roof.

Springfield Police say that when they arrived on the scene, a neighbor was trying to spray water on the house. According to the neighbor, when they walked outside and saw the house on fire, they said Lyndsey N. Hagen, age 34, was running down the sidewalk barefoot and was asking people for shoes. According to the neighbor, Lyndsey told them, “I lit the sanitizer.”

According to police, when the house caught fire, Lyndsey’s parents and her 15 year old daughter were inside the residence.

Several days after the fire, on October 25, 2023, police located Lyndsey near the intersection of 17th and Matheny. She was transported to the Springfield Police Department and interviewed about the incident. Police say that when she was walking inside the Police Department, she made a spontaneous utterance and said, “that’s why I was there when it caught fire. I was looking for my wallet.”

Arson investigators read Lyndsey her Miranda rights and asked if she understood them and wished to speak. Lyndsey agreed. Investigators reported that during the interview, she admitted to being present at 817 Indiana on the morning of the fire. She admitted that she was looking for her purse and wallet. She also admitted that she knew the house was occupied by her father, mother, and daughter.

When questioned about the incident, Lyndsey explained that she was in a bedroom using a candle for light, but the candle had burned out. She further stated that while sitting on her bed, she lit a container of hand sanitizer on fire, and that the hand sanitizer fell over, causing the bed to catch on fire. She told investigators that she went outside to get a hose and sprayed it through a window.

Investigators asked her if she tried to wake her daughter after passing her window several times, but she told investigators no. She also admitted that she didn’t make any attempts to call 911 nor try to wake up her parents, nor try to go to a neighbor’s house to have them call for help.

According to records, 9 days before this fire, Lyndsey was served an order of protection which was filed by her father. Her father told a Sangamon County Judge about her direct threats, including statements about harming them while they slept. He also mentioned several troubling incidents, like breaking two windows, destroying flower pots, and stealing items like old jewelry (for its gold value), collector coins, cash, and even laundry detergent. She had trouble sleeping, possibly due to drugs, and ongoing mental health issues that had led to her being held for evaluation in the past. She had never held a job. “We would like for her to get help, but we cant keep living like this. Right now she is out in the back yard lighting firecrackers and bottle rockets,” the dad said. The order of protection was granted and Lyndsey was served the same day.

Investigators say due to the order of protection, which doesn’t expire until 10/09/2025, Lyndsey did not have the authority to enter her parent’s residence, nor did she have the consent of the owner to light any property on fire.

Lyndsey was arrested and booked into the Sangamon County Jail. She was charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Aggravated Arson, a class X felony, Residential Arson, a class 1 felony, and a Violation of an order of protection, a class A misdemeanor. A pretrial bond hearing was held, and a Sangamon County Judge ruled that she must remain in the Sangamon County Jail until the conclusion of this case.

Springfield, Illinois – A Springfield man was arrested and charged with aggravated battery to a child and domestic battery after he was seen on video hitting, grabbing, and cursing at his 2-year-old daughter. He has since been released pending trial.

On October 22, 2023, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Springfield Police reported that Michael P. Flynn, age 28, was captured on video inside his two-year-old daughter’s room, where he began to physically abuse her. In the video, he can be seen grabbing her and uttering the words “go back to bed you stupid fucking kid.” Michael head-butted the child twice on her head while telling her to “lay down now.” Police noted that the child was crying hysterically throughout the entire incident. Subsequently, Michael was observed grabbing the child by her hair and throwing her back onto her bed. Using his right hand, he repeatedly applied intense pressure to the child’s chest, causing her body to bounce off the bed and shift. He then exited the camera’s view as the child lay in bed. Upon his return, he knelt down, placing his hand over the child’s mouth while stating, “shut the fuck up, every fucking day.” Michael then grabs a pillow and began to hit the child with it 3-4 times.

The child had bruising and red marks starting at her jawline on the left side of her face going up to her ear. She also had a bruise on her right shoulder.

Michael was detained in handcuffs and read his Miranda rights, in which he said he understood and wanted to speak with officers. He stated he came home from a long day of work and went to bed. He woke up around 3 am to his child crying. He stated he walked in and placed her back in bed. When asked how he placed her in the bed, he stated he did not want to answer any more questions.

Michael was then placed under arrest and taken to the Sangamon County Jail. According to records, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Michael with two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Child, a Class 3 felony, and three counts of Domestic Battery, a Class A misdemeanor. While the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office requested that Michael remain in custody until trial, a Sangamon County Judge released him. The judge ordered him to complete a substance abuse evaluation within 30 days, a mental health evaluation, and prohibited him from possessing any weapons.

*Update to original article – An emergency order of protection was filed against Michael, by the mother of the child.

On October 17, 2023, around 9:03 a.m., Officer Binkley encountered a woman who was visibly upset and covered in blood on the left side of her head, which had soaked into her hair. Officer Binkley reported that the woman had a significant laceration above her left ear on her scalp.

The woman informed Officer Brinkley that she had been at 1210 E. Washington St. with a man named Leonardo A. White, age 39, who sold drugs. She told Officer Brinkley that she uses drugs and explained that for the past several days, Leonardo had prevented her from getting any sleep. She described that whenever she tried to sleep, Leonardo would smack her in the mouth.

The woman said at 5:00 a.m., a verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation when Leonardo suspected her of hiding his heroin. The woman informed Officer Binkley that Leonardo forcefully removed her shirt and pants and conducted a “cavity search” for the heroin. She described how Leonardo held her down, got on top of her, and strangled her around the neck, impeding her breathing and alternately covering her nose and mouth. He then cut the left side of her head with a box cutter and threatened her life by holding the blade against her neck. At some point, after Leonardo fell asleep due to being heavily intoxicated, the woman managed to leave the property.

According to officers, the woman was in and out of consciousness, had a large amount of blood on her head, and bruising on her neck.

After taking the report, Officer Binkley and officers with the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit went to 1210 E. Washington, Apartment #209, in an effort to find Leonardo. When Officer Binkley knocked on the door, Leonardo jumped out of the second-story window, landing on an air conditioner before making contact with Officers Manzanares and Steffen, who ordered him to the ground. Leonardo, who had ducked down behind a fence, was taken into custody.

A search after the arrest revealed a plastic bag containing a white, rock-like substance that later tested positive for cocaine. It weighed around 8.93 grams, with its packaging. Additionally, a social security card for the woman was found in Leonardo’s pocket. Nearby the spot where Leonardo had hidden behind the fence, another plastic bag was discovered, containing what appeared to be heroin. It weighed about 25 grams, with its packaging. On top of the bag of suspected heroin, the woman’s identification card and a LINK card were found. Officers noted that it appeared Leonardo had attempted to conceal these items with rocks. Without being asked, Leonardo said the identification and LINK cards were his, but not the bag of suspected heroin. While Officer Steffen was speaking with another officer about the apartment, Leonardo stated that he didn’t live there and didn’t have any property in the apartment, noting that he was the resident’s caregiver. The resident confirmed that ‘Leo’ resided in the bedroom but clarified that the holster did not belong to Leo. He stated that it was his, and there were no firearms in the apartment.

Officer Steffen then obtained a search warrant for the apartment. After the warrant was signed, Officer Steffen returned to the apartment, where additional officers, including Sgt. Spaid, Officer Wise, Officer Craven, Officer Manzanares, and Detective Bivens, were present. Detective Bivens documented the apartment through photographs, while Officer Manzanares maintained an evidence log. A blood-stained shirt, a blood-stained pillowcase, and another blood-stained shirt were located in the apartment. In a table drawer within the common area, a bag containing a substance resembling methamphetamine and three digital scales were also found.

According to records, Leonardo has an extensive criminal history, with prior charges and convictions of homicide, assault, dangerous drugs, flight/escape, and weapons offenses. A warrant search also revealed two active Sangamon County warrants for Leonardo, both associated with failure to appear in court, with a bond amount of $7,500, subject to a 10% fee.

Leonardo was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and released on October 19, 2023 at 2:03 p.m., without charges.

Springfield, Illinois – At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, a citizen called police to report an officer-involved shooting in the 1600 block of Toronto Rd. They were uncertain about whether the shots were fired by the officer or the suspect. According to initial reports, 16 shots were fired, and an Illinois State Police Officer was shot in the leg. A tourniquet was applied to the officer’s leg, and the suspect fled his vehicle on foot.

Around 1:59 a.m., police received information that someone had gone to the Days Inn, located at 5970 S. Sixth Street Frontage Rd E., to inquire about a flashlight. Officers then responded to the area and took the suspect into custody at Circle K, located at 1201 Toronto Rd.

According to Illinois State Police, the suspect, 37 year old Cristobal Santana of Chicago, Illinois is the suspect in the attempted homicide of an Illinois State Police Trooper and is believed to be wanted in connection with the homicide of a Chicago Public School’s teacher.

According to media reports in the Chicago, Illinois area, the homicide victim was Adrianna Lopez, a 37-year-old Special Education teacher with the Chicago Public Schools. On Sunday, October 22, 2023, officers reported that she was near her home when a man believed to be Santana (an ex-boyfriend) approached her, started to argue with her, and then fatally shot her 10 times.

Lopez worked as a special education teacher at Nathan S. Davis Elementary School in Brighton Park.

Springfield, Illinois – At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, a citizen called the police to report an officer-involved shooting in the 1600 block of Toronto Rd. They were uncertain about whether the shots were fired by the officer or the suspect. According to initial reports, 16 shots were fired, and an Illinois State Police Officer was shot in the leg. A tourniquet was applied to the officer’s leg, and the suspect’s vehicle was located shortly afterward.

A drone was used to view the inside of the vehicle, which appeared to be clear. However, officers then received a report of a suspicious person running near Packard Mental Health Center, formerly known as McFarland. Additional officers went to the scene, but the suspect was not located.

Around 1:59 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, police received information that someone had gone to the Days Inn, located at 5970 S. Sixth Street Frontage Rd E., to inquire about a flashlight. Officers then responded to the area and took the suspect into custody at Circle K, located at 1201 Toronto Rd.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital.

We will provide more updates once we receive it.

Springfield, Illinois – At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, a citizen called the police to report an officer-involved shooting in the 1600 block of Toronto Rd. They were uncertain about whether the shots were fired by the officer or the suspect. According to initial reports, 16 shots were fired, and an Illinois State Police Officer was shot in the leg. A tourniquet was applied to the officer’s leg, and the suspect’s vehicle was located shortly afterward.

A drone was used to view the inside of the vehicle, which appeared to be clear. However, officers then received a report of a suspicious person running near Packard Mental Health Center, formerly known as McFarland. Additional officers went to the scene, but the suspect was not located.

As of 1:11 a.m., October 25, 2023 – no further updates on suspects location.

Stay tuned to this post for additional updates.

Springfield, Illinois – A Springfield man was arrested by the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU) after a high-speed chase with his young son in the vehicle. During the traffic stop officers found cocaine and a semi-automatic pistol.

On October 16, 2023, around 2:28 p.m., officers from the Street Crimes Unit observed a reddish-orange Kia Soul parked in a handicapped spot at Oscar’s Corner Store, located at 1000 N. 9th St. Officers reported observing a male individual, later identified as Kaleb X. McKinney, age 22, exiting the vehicle from the passenger side with a child, before entering the store. An officer also noted that they observed Kaleb turning back, apparently noticing their squad car before he entered Oscars Corner Store.

According to the officers’ report, “For unknown reasons, Kaleb became frantic and immediately placed his vehicle in reverse, and it appeared he was going to back into their marked squad.” When an officer walked up to the front diver’s window of Kaleb’s vehicle to speak with him about being parked in handicap, Kaleb allegedly accelerated forward, reversed once more, and then proceeded forward, fleeing eastbound on Enterprise at a high rate of speed. When Kaleb turned left onto 10th St. to head northbound, it was estimated that Kaleb was driving 60 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. The officer wrote, “It should be noted that we were traveling at approximately 55 MPH and were unable to gain any distance on Kaleb.”

The report continues to state that Kaleb ran two stop signs, passed traffic at a high rate of speed, and recklessly merged into a traffic lane.

Kaleb eventually came to an abrupt stop north of North Grand Avenue when an officer tried to approach his vehicle. However, Kaleb fled again and stopped once more north of North Grand and Michigan. During this stop, officers noted that Kaleb exited the vehicle and opened the rear driver’s door, reaching inside to pick up his son. At this point, an officer grabbed Kaleb and told him he was under arrest. But Kaleb lunged forward inside the vehicle. “I pulled Kaleb out of the vehicle and placed him on the ground, securing him in handcuffs,” the report stated. During a search of Kaleb, an officer discovered in his right pants coin pocket a clear plastic sandwich bag containing a white rock-like substance, suspected to be crack cocaine. The suspected crack cocaine was field tested and returned a positive result for cocaine.

Officers from the Street Crimes Unit searched the route of the high-speed chase and located a black-SARSILMAZ SAR9T 9mm semi-automatic pistol on 10th St. between Reserve St. and Division St. The pistol had a magazine inserted, loaded with an unknown number of live rounds and 1 round in the chamber. Officers conducted a records check on the firearm, which revealed it was not reported stolen.

After Kaleb was read his Miranda Rights, he admitted that the substance found on him was crack cocaine and estimated it to be approximately 1.0 grams. He stated that he had it for personal use. When asked how he uses the crack cocaine, he claimed he used a pipe. However, no pipe or any other paraphernalia was found in the car during the search.

A criminal history records search revealed that Kaleb does not have a FOID card nor a Conceal Carry License. The records search also indicated two convictions out of Sangamon County. The first conviction was for a class 2 felony for Manufacturing and Delivery of a controlled substance. The second conviction was for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, for which Kaleb is currently on parole. “These convictions make Kaleb ineligible to possess a FOID card and make him eligible to be charged with armed habitual criminal,” the officer noted.

During the officers’ interview with Kaleb, they asked him about his prior attempt to escape police custody and asked him if he planned to attempt it again. Kaleb responded, saying he couldn’t make any promises.

Currently, Kaleb is in the Sangamon County Jail, and has been charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorneys Office with Armed Habitual Criminal (a class X felony), Possession of a weapon by a felon (a class 2 felony), Possession of a controlled substance (a class 4 felony), and Aggravated fleeing and eluding police (a class 4 felony). A pretrial bond hearing was held, and Kaleb’s bond request was denied. He will remain in the Sangamon County Jail until the conclusion of this case.

Springfield, Illinois – In an update to a story that we’ve been following and covering, the City of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department have settled a lawsuit with Cory E. Hoedebecke, who had previously filed a lawsuit against the City and Springfield Police Officer, Rhet Spengel. Hoedebecke accused Officer Spengel of unlawfully pulling him over and illegally arresting him.

The original incident occurred on July 7, 2019, when Officer Spengel pulled over Hoedebecke, his ex-friend, due to retaliation. Text messages exchanged between Spengel and Erika H. Carlove, who was with Cory that night, revealed that Officer Spengel repeatedly questioned Erika via text about when Cory would be leaving the bar and what vehicle he was driving. At the time of the text message exchange, we’re told that Carlove didn’t know what Spengel was up to.

According to the police report, shortly after Spengel and Erika’s text message exchange, Officer Spengel wrote in his report that at 12:44 a.m. on July 7, 2019, he observed a vehicle, a 2014 red Jeep Wrangler, parked in front of 215 S. 2nd St., Bob’s Butternut Hut Bar. Upon running the plate, he saw that the registered owner was Cory E. Hoedebecke. He was familiar with this subject and aware that he had a prior arrest for Driving under the Influence of Alcohol. Cory has been known to often drive impaired. He observed the vehicle for a while, then saw Cory walking to the car. Cory was clearly stumbling and having difficulty maintaining his balance as he entered the vehicle. As Cory drove south on 2nd St. and turned west onto Jefferson, Spengel got behind him. The stoplight on 2nd at Jefferson was red. Cory stopped well past the line and didn’t make a complete stop. Spengel followed Cory as he traveled west on Jefferson. At 1st and Jefferson, Spengel observed Cory cross the lane line and straddle it for several seconds. He then proceeded to change to the left lane without signaling. Cory then turned south onto Walnut from Jefferson.

The report continues, stating that, based on these facts and circumstances, I stopped the car on Walnut at Washington. I advised Cory of the violations and asked how much he had drunk. Cory looked at me and refused to answer the question. Carlove was in the front passenger seat. I asked Cory to exit the vehicle, and he complied. I asked him again how much he had drunk, and he just looked at me. Instead, Cory repeatedly asked for a supervisor, and Sgt. Zander #534 responded. I noticed that Cory’s speech was slurred. His eyes were extremely red, and his pupils were constricted. It appeared as though Cory was having difficulty keeping his eyes open. I could detect a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. I asked Cory several times if he would perform some field sobriety tests, and he refused.

I came to the conclusion that Cory was impaired by alcohol, and he was operating a motor vehicle. I placed Cory under arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Officer T. Sullivan #772 completed a tow sheet, and it was towed from the scene. I transported Cory to Sangamon Co. Jail and issued him citation #455429 for DUI Alcohol. I read the Warning to Motorist to Cory and issued him citations #455427 for Disobeying Traffic Control Signal and #455428 for Improper Lane Usage. I completed the Sworn Report and gave Cory his receipt to drive. I completed a probable cause sheet and use of force form. BAT (Breath Alcohol Technician) operator Officer Boyle #769 was present. Boyle asked Cory if he wished to give a breath sample, and Cory refused. Cory refused to answer any of my questions, so I didn’t attempt to interview him any further. Cory was left in the custody of Officer Stoutameyer.

Later in the day, around 3:35 p.m., Officer Spengel took the traffic stop a step further by attempting to get Cory’s vehicle seized. In the supplemental report, Officer Spengel wrote, “On July 7, 2019 at 3:35 p.m., I conducted a follow up investigation regarding a DUI Alcohol arrest involving Cory E. Hoedebecke. It came to my attention that Cory had four prior arrests for DUI Alcohol, after his vehicle had already been towed and impounded by Taylor Brothers Towing at their tow lot. Cory’s prior arrests were on 01/31/94, 03/26/94, 10/07/94 and 02/21/05. The three arrests in 1994 resulted in convictions. I completed the asset forfeiture paperwork, and mailed Cory a Notice to Arrestee form advising him of the possible seizure of his vehicle through certified mail. The tow form and record at the front desk were also amended.”

According to records we’ve obtained, there was no camera or body camera footage of Cory’s driving that night. In addition, when Spengel’s body camera was on, while speaking to Cory, he confirmed that he was “using deception” and stalking Mr. Hoedebecke through his passenger via text message.

A source close to Springfield Leaks confirmed that at the conclusion of the Internal Affairs investigation, it was recommended to terminate Officer Spengel. However, that was overturned by former Chief of Police, Kenny Winslow. Spengel was given a suspension of 45 days instead.

Cory’s driving under the influence charge and all traffic tickets related to the DUI traffic stop have been dismissed, as it was determined that there was no basis for the traffic stop.

On October 3, 2023, the City Council approved a $100,000 settlement with Cory. The terms of the settlement state that $82,500 will be paid by the City, and $10,000 will be paid by Officer Spengel or on his behalf. After the settlement was approved, Cory told Springfield Leaks, “I appreciate internal affairs for their diligence during the investigation and for holding the corrupt officer accountable. I also want to commend the other officers who were honest during the IA interviews and their depositions. I’m grateful for those who honored their oath and refused to sacrifice their integrity to cover for a dirty officer who had no issues lying under oath and falsifying reports to violate a citizen’s rights.”

In June 2023, almost 4 years after this incident, Officer Spengel retired from the Springfield Police Department.

Springfield, Illinois – On September 19, 2021, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Springfield Police officers responded to Dirty South, 1231 E. Cook Street in response to several disturbances and an unruly crowd. While at the scene, officers heard gunshots and found a male subject shot in the parking lot. The victim was taken to HSHS St. John’s Hospital for treatment.

The next day, the suspect Jeramy S. Jones, age 30, was arrested in the 2000 block of Marland Street by the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force without incident. Jones was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, armed violence, aggravated battery with a firearm, armed habitual criminal, and possession of a weapon by a street gang member.

In an update to this story, on Friday, October 13, 2023, Jones pleaded guilty to Attempted Murder and was sentenced to 23 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with a mandatory supervised release term of 3 years. He will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence. In exchange for his plea agreement, all other charges were dismissed. Jones was represented by Springfield Attorney Mark Wykoff.