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Snake Escapes Vacant Gillespie Home

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(That is an actual picture of one of the snakes that was confiscated from the house.)

On Thursday, July 20th The BenGil Post got wind of claims that a Black Mamba snake had been abandoned and escaped from a foreclosed home somewhere by the bike trial.  In the end these claims turned out to be false.  Here is the real story:

Around Thursday, July 14th some of the neighbors were cleaning up trash that renters had left that was starting to stink.  While picking up the trash these neighbors noticed skulls and carcasses of small rodents and animals.

Next, a city worker noticed a snake with a large head while mowing the tall grass of the abandoned house.  Authorities were alerted and after an investigation learned that the former renters did indeed have large snakes at the house.

The renters of a property near the Gillespie entrance to the bike trail vacated a house and left 4 Boa Constrictors behind.  3 of these were approx. 1 to 2 feet in length, and the other one was a large adult approx. 5 or more feet in length.  The 3 smaller snakes got out of their tanks but remained in the house.  However, the large adult snake escaped the house through the doggie door.  As a result the city worker saw it in the yard as mentioned above.

On Friday, July 15th a wild life expert was called in a set a trap to catch the large snake.  On Monday, July 18th Gillespie Police Chief Jared Depoppe reported that “all the snakes had been accounted for and were no longer in the city limits.  There are no current safety concerns for the community.” 

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Court News

Macoupin County Courthouse News

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Cases filed during November 17 through November 23. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.

FELONIES

Rex J. White, 49 of Mount Olive, is charged with aggravated fleeing police (21 mph over), reckless driving, improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, operating a motor vehicle with registration/suspended , and driving 1-10 mph above the limit in connection with a November 15 incident.

Britteny D M Herr, 30 of Brighton, is charged with violation of an order with a prior violation in connection with a November 17 incident.

Christopher L. Black, 42 of Virden, is charged with aiding/abetting/selling a stolen vehicle and driving on a revoked license in connection with a November 17 incident.

Jesse D. Cimino, 42 of Troy, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a September 1 incident.

Jennifer R. Haneline, 39 of Godfrey, is charged with burglary and theft/authorized control (>500<10k) in connection with an August 6 incident.

Simone R. Para, 51 of Girard, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of drugs in connection with an October 13 incident.

Crystal D. Hoffman, 45 of Staunton, is charged with obstruction of justice/destroying evidence and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a November 11 incident.

Andrew P. Hansen, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with received/possession/selling stolen vehicle and possession of meth (<5 grams) in connection with a November 20 incident.

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Justin C. Grider, 42 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault/operating a motor vehicle in connection with a November 21 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

Jacqueline B. Jessen, 42 of Girard, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Perry L. Lair, 62 of Virden, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Kara E. Estes, 37 of Girard, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Melissa R. Robinson, 36 of Farmersville, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Kenneth J. Barker, 38 of Litchfield, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a November 19 incident.

Julio Isaias Pedro Felipe, 36 of Springfield, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

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TRAFFIC

Amanda J. Eberwein, 27 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a November 12 incident.

Katherine F. Fugitt, 33 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a November 15 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

  • Michael C. Cummings versus Tracy L. Cummings

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Police News

Gillespie Police Report November 17 – November 23, 2024

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2024

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Michael C. Malone, 59 of Melbourne, Florida, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and disregarding a stop sign.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Henry Street in reference to suspicious persons.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.

An officer was dispatched to South Second Street in reference to reckless driving.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie. Matthew R. Bowen, 18 of Fairview Heights, was issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Pine Street in reference to a medical assist.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a medical assist.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a juvenile issue.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Elm Street and Clinton Street. Samantha L. Jansen, 53 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to the 200 block of East Locust Street in Benld in reference to trespassing.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024

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An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Charles Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Broadway Street in reference to a business security check.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Green Street and Easton Street. McKenna N. Kampwerth, 21 of South Roxana, was arrested on multiple warrants. The South Roxana warrant was for failure to appear for traffic leaving the scene, the warrant out of Wood River was for possession of meth, and the warrant out of Collinsville was for possession of meth.

An officer was dispatched to East Gillespie on Route 16 East to Assist an Illinois State trooper with a call.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an electrical fire.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a battery.

Keshawn K. Bush, 40 of Gillespie, was arrested for criminal trespass to state supported property.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street reference criminal trespass to property.

Brandon L. Smith, 29 of Gillespie, was arrested on a warrant out of Macoupin County for failure to appear on a traffic offense.

Ryan D. Shoger, 37 of Gillespie, was arrested on a warrant out of Macoupin County for failure to appear on possession of methamphetamine.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Jesus E. Cabrera-Ramirez, 33 of Gilbert, AZ, was issued a citation for disregarding a stop sign and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Alison M. Whitehead, 29 of Staunton, was issued a citation for expired registration.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Willow Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an order of protection in the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024

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An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Layla R. Eden, 18 of Bunker Hill, was arrested for driving while license was suspended and possession of alcoholic liquor under the age of 21.

An officer was dispatched to Easton Street and Macoupin Street in reference to a traffic crash.

An officer was dispatched to Oak Street and South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a fire. The officer discovered it was a control burn.

An officer was dispatched to a business at East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Abba Street in reference to an alarm.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical assist.

An officer spoke with a male in the 200 block of Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024

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An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.

Ashleigh K. Bethel, 40 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear while driving while license are revoked.

The school resource officer was contacted by the high school counselor and advised him of a sexual assault.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie Street reference a burglary.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to retail theft. David A. Orear, 33 of Gillespie, was arrested for retail theft.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a domestic. Donald E. Ruyle, 51 of Benld, was arrested for domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to reckless driving.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Easton Street in reference to an animal complaint.

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An officer spoke with a male in the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to Pine Street and Shelby Street in reference to an ordinance issue.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to 6th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie. Bruce E. Jackson, 64 of Benld, was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Broadway Street in reference to a suspicious person.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Charles Street in reference to a well-being check.

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An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue.  Joseph W. Webb, 37 of Gillespie, was arrested for no valid driver’s license and driving while license was suspended.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to Route 16 East in East Gillespie in reference to a domestic dispute.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Elm Street in reference to a 911 call.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to a civil issue in the 300 block of Park Avenue.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2024

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South 8th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a death investigation.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Henry Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of South Hard Road in Mt. Clare reference a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Plum Street in reference to a 911 call.

An officer was dispatched to Grace Street and Clinton Street in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

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An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil standby.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a business check.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Court News

Macoupin County Courthouse News

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Cases filed during November 10 through November 16. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.

FELONIES

Levi T. Kroll, 35 of Eagarville, is charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer in connection with a November 10 incident.

David J. Karrick, 44 of Virden, is charged with residential burglary and criminal trespass to residence in connection with a November 10 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

Jason H. Rells, 50 of Virden, is charged with resisting a peace officer/ firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a November 13 incident.

TRAFFIC

Justin H. Bodine, 42 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an October 26 incident.

Christopher L. Black, 42 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an October 30 incident.

Christopher R. Lott, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with failure to notify of damage to an unattended vehicle in connection with a November 2 incident.

Stephanie K. Short, 59 of Bunker Hill, is charged with reckless driving, fleeing/attempting to elude officer, and disregarding a stop sign in connection with an October 31 incident.

Stacey L. Hart, 54 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene in connection with an October 27 incident.

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Troy J. Camerer, 52 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene, failure to give notice of crash, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with an October 30 incident.

Lucas J. Edwards, 22 of Caledonia, is charged with reckless driving, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 26-34 mph over the limit, and being unlicensed in connection with a November 11 incident.

Allen D. James Jr, 62 of Virden, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an October 30 incident.

Zachary S. Hoffstot, 44 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 6 incident.

Dustin P. Cunningham, 33 of Greenfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 11 incident.

Courtney R. Coonce, 31 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and transporting/carrying alcohol in connection with a November 8 incident.

Ashley R. Winters, 38 of Kane, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a November 12 incident.

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DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

  • Jennifer M. Bushue versus Jesse J. Bushue

MARRIAGE LICENSES

  • Daniel Robert Dobrino of Benld and Hannah Marie Pritchett of Edwardsville

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