Police News 12-15-14

Weekend Garage Fire In Canton Being Investigated

(Canton, IL) -- A fire that occurred Saturday is being investigated by the Canton Fire Department. Firefighters were dispatched to 125 North 3rd Avenue Saturday on the report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews found there was heavy fire coming from a detached garage. Firefighters were able to put the fire out quickly, but crews remained on the scene to put out any hot spots. Off duty fire personnel were called in to the station to assist with any additional alarms during the fire. Assisting at the scene were Canton police and Ameren Illinois.

Canton Man Faces Weapons Charges

(Canton, IL) -- A Canton man is facing weapons charges after being arrested last week. Canton police say that officers received a call from Walmart early Friday morning at about 2:20 on the report of a suspicious subject at the store. Upon arrival, officers tried to locate the subject but he was observed leaving in his vehicle. Police were able to locate the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Main and Laurel Streets. The driver was identified as 19-year old Braden J. Mallery. When police asked if they could search the vehicle and if he had anything illegal in the vehicle, Braden told officers that he had brass knuckles and a switch blade in the pickup truck. Mallery was then arrested and charged with unlawful use of weapons. He was given a notice to appear and released. Mallery has a January Fulton County Court date in Lewistown.

Peorian Arrested After Weekend Shooting

(Peoria, IL) -- Authorities in Peoria arrested a man after an incident that took place on Northeast Adams Street over the weekend. Peoria police say they arrested Melvin Turner for allegedly shooting at a woman at around 1 Sunday morning. Authorities say that Turner and the woman had gotten into an argument prior to the shooting. The woman was not struck by the shot and no injuries were reported. Turner is scheduled to appear in Peoria County Circuit Court this afternoon.

Peoria Man Arrested In Connection With North Pekin Armed Robbery

(Pekin, IL) -- Illinois State Police arrested a Peoria man in connection with an armed robbery investigation that has been ongoing. Authorities arrested Jason Rymer on Friday. He was arrested in connection with the armed robbery that took place at Mickey's Pizzeria in North Pekin. The armed robbery took place in October. Rymer is facing two counts in connection with the armed robbery, one charge is armed robbery, the other is burglary. Bond for Rymer was set at $75,000 and he is being held in the Tazewell County Jail.

Police Janitor Admits Providing Inside Information To Meth Dealers

(Pekin, IL) -- Prosecutors say a former janitor for the Pekin police was providing inside information to a meth-making operation. Thirty-nine-year-old Stacy Maneno pleaded guilty this week, two years after her arrest. During her two years as custodian at Pekin police headquarters, she stole information police had gathered about meth cases in Tazewell and Mason counties and tipped off the operators of the meth labs. She could get a prison term of five years when she's sentenced in April.

WIU Disturbance Leads To Three Arrests

(Macomb, IL) -- Three people were arrested over the weekend in Macomb after a disturbance that took place on the Western Illinois University campus. Authorities say that the fight started inside the Student Union on the WIU campus at just before 11 and then moved outside of the building. WIU Security was called to the scene but quickly asked for back up from the Macomb Police Department and Illinois State Police. Three people were arrested after authorities used pepper spray when those involved would not leave the scene after being asked to do so. Two people were taken to McDonough District Hospital in Macomb to be treated but were later released. Authorities say that six other people were treated at the scene for injuries but not transported to the hospital.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against NIU Fraternity Tossed

(DeKalb, IL) -- Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity isn't being held liable for a student death at NIU. A Cook County judge dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit against the national chapter last week. David Bogenberger died in 2013 after a night of heavy drinking at the frat house. His family says he was pledging Pi Kappa Alpha at the time and claim frat members forced him to drink too much as a condition of membership. The judge says there's no way to prove that.