Police News 06-13-14

Accident Results In Arrest Of Norris Man (Canton, IL) -- A Norris man is facing charges after a two vehicle accident in Canton earlier this week. Canton police say it happened early yesterday morning at about 2:30 in the 1300 block of East Myrtle Street. Officers say that a vehicle driven by 26-year old Cold A. Martin was eastbound on East Myrtle when he struck a homemade trailer that was attached to a vehicle that is owned by 47-year old Jeffrey M. Bash of Canton. It was determined that Martin had been drinking and was arrested on a charge of DUI. He was taken to the Canton Police Department where he was processed on additional charges of DUI over .08, driving a motor vehicle without insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Martin posted his driver's license and a $100 cash bond as well as a $20 processing fee. He was then released with a July Fulton County Court date in Lewistown. Canton Police Clarify May Accident (Canton, IL) -- Canton police wanted to clarify a three vehicle accident that occurred last month on South Main Street near Greenwood Cemetery. Officers say that a vehicle driven by 22-year old Marrianne Stockman was southbound on South Main and following a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was being driven by 41-year old Jason Reith. Reith was slowing for a vehicle that was turning into the cemetery but Stockman did not notice that Reith was slowing down and struck the motorcycle, ejecting Reith from the motorcycle. Stockman’s vehicle then continued on and struck the vehicle that was turning into the cemetery that was being driven by 61- year old Jane Wages. All of the vehicles were southbound on South Main. Reith was taken to Graham Hospital's emergency room where he was treated for injuries suffered in the accident before reportedly being taken to a hospital in Peoria for further treatment. Peorian Pleads Not Guilty To Robbery Charge (Peoria, IL) -- A Peorian who has already served prison time for a previous robbery was back in Peoria County Circuit Court facing more robbery charges. 36-year old Jerry A. Johnson was recently indicted by a Peoria County Grand Jury. Johnson responded to those charges on Thursday by entering a not guilty plea. He was taken into custody by police after they set up surveillance at the gas station that he is accused of robbing. Authorities say that Johnson robbed the store on May 9th, 11th, 12th and 13th. Bomb Squad Gang Member Sentenced In Peoria Federal Court (Peoria, IL) -- A leader of the Bomb Squad street gang was in U.S. Federal Court in Peoria on Thursday. Larry Watts was sentenced to just over ten years of prison time for possession of a firearm during a crime. Watts is one of several members of the street gang who have been arrested over the past couple of years as a result of the gun violence taking place in Peoria. In all, 14 gang members have been indicted. All but one has entered guilty pleas. Peoria Mayor In Legal Fight Over Twitter Account (Peoria, IL) -- Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis has been hit with a civil rights lawsuit over how he tried to shut down a satirical Twitter account that was started in his name. Twenty-nine-year-old Jon Daniel accuses Ardis and other city officials of violating his First and Fourth Amendment rights when police raided his home in an effort to shut down the account with the handle @peoriamayor. The account had attracted fewer than 50 followers and included fewer than 50 tweets, yet the lawsuit cites emails showing Ardis pressured city and police officials to try to stop it. In the wake of the flap, several other Twitter accounts lampooning Ardis have cropped up.