(Information in this report is gathered from police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or changed as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

Jan. 16

Gamaliel Garcia-Hernandez, 29, of Columbia, was arrested for domestic battery and driving while license suspended at 230 N. Main Street.

Cortez Harris, 43, of St. Louis, was arrested on an in-state warrant and for driving while license suspended and expired registration on I-255.

Dupo Police

Jan. 16

Area law enforcement agencies were put on alert following the report of a black 2017 Hyundai sedan stolen shortly after 8:30 p.m. from a residence in the 800 block of Kaestner Drive. The vehicle was unlocked at the time it was stolen, police said, but the keys were not inside. 

Illinois State Police

Jan. 17

Emergency personnel responded shortly after 3:15 p.m to a two-vehicle crash with injuries near Millstadt. The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 158 and Mine Haul Road in St. Clair County. Preliminary information indicates a Kia Forte was traveling north on Mine Haul Road and a Hyundai Elantra was traveling west on Route 158. The Kia disobeyed the stop sign and struck the Hyundai in the intersection. The driver of the Kia, 42-year-old Harold Clarke of St. Louis, was cited for disobeying a stop sign and driving too fast for conditions. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. Also transported for injuries were the driver of the Hyundai and a passenger in that vehicle.

Millstadt Police

Jan. 13

Police took a report of criminal damage to vehicle in the 600 block of West White Street. The vehicle was damaged when an unknown subject attempted to jack up the vehicle. Nothing was removed from the vehicle, and the damage may have occurred as much as two weeks prior to the detection of damage. 

Monroe County Sheriff

Jan. 17

At about 5:15 a.m., a 2010 Lincoln MKS driven by Bradley C. Diecker of Waterloo was traveling north on Andy Road when the driver became fatigued and decided to turn around to go south on Andy Road. The driver then fell asleep, veering off the roadway to the right near Cedar Ridge Lane and striking a wooden fence. Diecker was transported to an area hospital via Monroe County EMS.

Jan. 18

Brady E. Collins, 27, of Fayetteville, was arrested on I-255 for two St. Clair County warrants (aggravated battery, theft), a Clinton County warrant (failure to appear for vehicle theft) and also for obstructing justice. 

Nicholas C. Martin, 45, of Waterloo, was charged with unlawful use of a tracking device at his home.

Jan. 21

Charges are pending following a pursuit that was initiated by a deputy in the evening on Route 3 near Waterloo and continued north through Columbia. An assisting Columbia police officer successfully spiked at least one tire on a fleeing 2022 red Honda sedan with Texas plates and a female driver, but it continued north on Route 3 and then west on I-255 into Missouri at a slower speed until finally stopping in House Springs, Mo. 

Red Bud Police

Jan. 17

A three-car accident took place in the afternoon in the 300 block of South Main Street. Leo R. Deterding, 80, of Red Bud, was driving a 2003 Ford pickup south on Main Street when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck head-on a 2012 Ford driven by Joseph W. Fruth, 79, of Waterloo. Deterding’s vehicle was then pushed into a 2021 Hyundai driven by Jenna M. Schilling, 37, of Evansville, which was traveling south behind Deterding. A witness told police they saw Deterding’s head down, like he was unconscious, right before the collision.

Jan. 23

Police said several vehicles, some of which were locked, were unlawfully entered overnight in the southwest portion of town in the area around Flint, Stone and Summit streets. Two vehicles were reported stolen in the incident.  

Waterloo Police 

Dec. 29

Stephen E. Willett, 50, of Belleville, was charged with theft (unlawful control with intent), deceptive practice and bank fraud. Court records indicate in July 2023, Willett was in possession of three or more checks belonging to Harrisonville Telephone Company. He also wrote a bad check to HTC in an amount not exceeding $150.

Jan. 17

Whitney D. Daulton, 28, of Cahokia Heights, was charged with theft following an evening incident at Denny’s, 959 Illinois Route 3, during which $77 was reported stolen. 

Jan. 19

A 16-year-old Waterloo female was cited at about 10:15 p.m. for unlawful use of cannabis (driver), exceeding allowable passenger limit and a headlight violation on Fourth Street at Main Street.