Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
STAFF REPORT
Benton Police have arrested two people in unrelated incidents.
On Dec. 12, police were called to the 800 block of North Fairland Street to investigate a disturbance. Darren D. Braggs, 43, of West Frankfort. He is charged with criminal trespass and obstructing a peace officer.
On Dec. 13, police stopped a car at East Main and North Commercial Street. Kandis J. Buckingham, 23, of Granite City was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended and no valid insurance.
STAFF REPORT
Benton Police arrested a woman Tuesday after a traffic stop at Huck’s convenience store, 105 E. Main St.
Crystal L. Bennett, 26, of Benton was charged with driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving while license suspended.
STAFF REPORT
Benton Police have charged a McLeansboro man with marijuana possession after a fight.
On Tuesday, police were dispatched to East Main and McLeansboro Street in Benton because of a fight in progress.
Jared C. Akin, 29, of McLeansboro was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. There were also two active Franklin County warrants for his arrest.
STAFF REPORT
Benton Police have arrested a Johnston City man after reports of a disturbance.
On Monday, police were called to the 800 block of North Frisco Street.
There, they arrested Robert Roeder, 37, of Johnston City, charging him with criminal trespass on railroad property.
STAFF REPORT
Benton Police have arrested a Johnston City woman in a theft at a downtown clothing store.
On Monday, police were dispatched to Peek-A-Boo clothing store, 504 Public Square, to investigate retail theft at the store.
Kendra Whitecotton, 26, of Johnston City was arrested and taken to Franklin County Jail for further processing.
Benton Police have arrested David A. Hunt, 21, of Benton after a call about a domestic dispute on Wednesday night.
Police investigated the dispute in the 1400 block of South Pope Street, and charged Hunt with aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, battery, unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence, and two counts of criminal damage to property.
Benton Police were advised of a reckless driver heading north bound on Hwy 37 heading into Benton on Tuesday. Officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, however, the vehicle did not stop. Through investigation, police discovered the abandoned vehicle on Election Street and later located the suspect driver nearby. The suspect was identified as Harold W. Keim, 54, of Carbondale. Keim was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended, aggravated reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude a peace officer, and disobeying a stop sign.
Also on Tuesday, Jason E. Kirkpatrick, 26, of Sesser was arrested by Benton Police after a traffic stop at West Main and Mill Street. Kirkpatrick was charged with driving while license suspended.
by BRUCE A. FASOL
West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp has announced an arrest in the recent burglary of a West Frankfort home. No date was identified when three guns were found missing from a home in the 100 block of West Sixth Street. Chief Tharp said the victim could not pinpoint when the guns were stolen.
The guns stolen were: a .22 long rifle, with a Bushnell scope, a Colt commander .45 caliber pistol, stainless steel and a 100th Anniversary edition, and also taken was a Heritage Roughrider .22 caliber pistol.
On Nov. 14, West Frankfort Police saw the investigation lead to Fairfield. A Fairfield resident told police there that he had purchased one of the firearms but did not know it was stolen. A similar story then emerged with a Thompsonville man saying he bought a gun, not knowing it was taken in a burglary.
West Frankfort Police developed a suspect in the case, and arrested 22-year-old Justin M. Murphy at a home on North Illinois Avenue in West Frankfort.
According to Chief Tharp, Murphy has admitted to investigators he entered the home of an acquaintance and took the weapons.
Murphy has been charged with residential burglary and the theft of the firearms.
Benton Police arrested Tyler W. Atchison, 28, of Benton on Nov. 20. Police were acting on an active Franklin County warrant for petition to revoke probation. Atchison was transported to the Franklin County Jail with bond set at $1,500.
On Nov. 25, Benton Police arrested Samuel C. Caraker, 34, of Benton. Caraker is charged with driving while license revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, reckless driving, and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Benton Police have arrested two suspects in a burglary on Aiken Street.
On Nov. 8, police were called about a burglary in progress in the 400 block of Aiken Street in Benton.
After an investigation, Nathaniel S. Casey, 24, and Cory D. Payne, 23, both of Benton were arrested. Both men are charged with burglary and theft. Casey is also charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both men were booked at the Franklin County Jail.
Benton Police also announced the following enforcement actions over the weekend:
Paulie J. Potts, 31, of Benton was arrested Nov. 10 on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Potts was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
On Nov. 11, Benton Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Della Street in reference to a noise complaint. Through investigation, police cited three suspects for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. They were identified as Connor L. Babington, 19, Dakota L. Tucker, 19, and Lacy J. DePasquale, 19, all of Benton. All suspects were issued a citation and a notice to appear.
Timothy A. Topolski, 42, of Benton was arrested Nov. 13 on an active Pulaski county warrant for failure to appear. Topolski was arrested and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.
