The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said proactive enforcement by its deputies resulted in two stolen vehicles located and three subjects arrested in recent weeks.

On Nov. 7, a deputy conducting a business check about 7 a.m. at 11700 Bluff Road in Columbia observed a 2023 Ford F150 parked in a location that was partially blocked from view. The deputy approached the vehicle and noticed two individuals were inside.

The deputy checked the vehicle in the police computer system and learned it was reported stolen out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Once additional deputies arrived to the scene, the two occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and taken into custody without incident.

The two occupants were transported to the Monroe County Jail pending further investigation by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. During the investigation fentanyl was located and seized as evidence.

Chad A. Crank, 41, of Columbia, and Jessica Hubbard, 37, of Highland, were both subsequently charged with possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Investigators did not present charges for possession of a stolen motor vehicle after communicating with authorities in Utah.

At about 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, a deputy observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 3 near HH Road in Waterloo and learned this vehicle was reported stolen from Stone County, Mo. The deputy
followed the vehicle until additional units arrived in the area to conduct a high-risk stop. Deputies stopped the vehicle on Kaskaskia Road near Route 3 south of Waterloo.

The driver being the only occupant in the vehicle was taken into custody without incident. Investigators with the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force conducted an investigation and Edward W. McIntosh, 46, of Lampe, Mo., was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.

Due to the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which abolishes cash bail as a condition of pretrial
release, both Crank and Hubbard were released from the Monroe County Jail pending a court
date.

McIntosh is still being held in the Monroe County jail pending extradition to Missouri due to a felony warrant in Missouri.