Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year & Crime Stoppers/Busey Mills Scholarship Winners Announced
July 26, 2017
Crimes Stoppers of Champaign County today announced the winner of the Third Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award at the organization’s Annual Meeting held at the Elks Lodge in Savoy. Also, the recipient of the second Crime Stoppers/Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship was announced.
The winner of this year’s Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award is Tony Comtois. He works full-time with C-U At Home where he taps into his own life history to help the homeless, law enforcement, and to make the community safer. The Nominating Committee was impressed with Tony’s battle to overcome drug and alcohol problems and his own homelessness. He began turning his life around as a resident of the Times Shelter in Champaign
in 2006. He then went on to work at the Detox Center and the Salvation Army, and currently with C-U at Home. He can relate to the issues facing the homeless and uses that knowledge in an ongoing effort to make a difference in the lives of the homeless and in the community. Tony Comtois was nominated by former Urbana Police Chief Pat Connolly on behalf of
all Champaign County law enforcement agencies. Connolly said “Tony epitomizes the concept of this award by improving the long term interaction between the police and the homeless community.” His nomination highlights Tony’s importance to the local Law Enforcement community and how he helps officers deal with a growing problem that police are not trained to
deal with effectively.
The winner of the Second Annual Crime Stoppers/Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship is Danielle Boulos, Unity High School in Tolono. She said the scholarship would give her a greater chance of going to the University of Maryland for its top rated
criminology program. The underlining purpose of this scholarship program is to promote criminal justice as a career and to financially assist a graduating senior in their pursuit of an education in the field of criminal justice.
Crime Stoppers 31st Annual Meeting and Award Presentations
July 24, 2017
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is proud to announce the winner of the Third Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award at its Annual Meeting to be held on July 26, 2017 The award is given to a citizen of Champaign County who most exemplifies the crimefighting spirit that Dave exhibited during his award-winning newscasts and programs on WCIA-TV, and as a Crime Stoppers board member. Dave lost his battle against cancer in May 2015.
Also during the Annual Meeting, the winner of the second annual Crime Stoppers/Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship will be introduced.
Members of area law enforcement agencies are among the invited guests. The Guest Speaker is Dr. Michael Schlosser, Director of the Illinois Police Training Institute.
The Annual Meeting will be held from 12 to between 1-1:15, July 26, at The Elks Lodge, 903 North Dunlap, Savoy.
The winner of the Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award, the person who nominated the recipient, and John Hecker (President of the Champaign County Crime Stoppers) will all be available to the media following the meeting.
Crime Stoppers Shred/Drug Drop Off Event
April 18, 2017
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are joining together to provide a one-stop opportunity for you to protect yourself from identity theft and to safety dispose of old prescription drugs.
Crime Stoppers is sponsoring a Shred Event in conjunction with the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday April 29, 2017, 9-11am, at the southwest corner of St. Mary’s Road/Fox Drive and Neil Street, in Champaign.
The best way to protect yourself against identity theft is to make sure your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Shredding old personal documents can get rid of the potential risk permanently. Crime Stoppers is working with Triad Shredding to provide off-site shredding of up to 2 banker’s boxes of documents to help you protect yourself. Crime Stoppers is also asking for a small donation of $5 to help pay future rewards to tipsters who help solve crimes.
The following documents will be accepted: medical records, financial statements, credit applications, bank statements, documents with social security numbers or driver license numbers, bank checks, tax records, and legal documents over 8 years old.
At the same time, the DEA will give you an easy way to prevent pill abuse and theft through the Drug Drop Off. You can rid your home of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills and patches, but the DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. In addition, usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the Shred Event and Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at 373-tips.com.
Crime Stoppers Announces New Mobile App
November 14, 2016
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is adding a new weapon in its fight against crime, while continuing to keep the identity of the tipster anonymous. Beginning Tuesday, November 15, 2016, a new free mobile app will provide citizens with an easier and more efficient way to submit information to help solve and prevent crimes or other serious or life threatening matters.
Crime Stoppers is partnering with Texas-based Anderson Software to provide the upgrade in technology to better meet the needs of smart phone users. Anderson Software leads the industry with its latest secure and anonymous tip acquisition and management solution, called P3 Intel. This partnership allows Champaign County to foster a relationship between law enforcement and the public to proactively create safer neighborhoods.
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County will continue to accept tips at our TIPS phone line 373-TIPS, and at our website 373tips.com. But tips will no longer be accepted via SMS text messages. Instead, tips will be accepted through the new free P3 Tips mobile app available on the iOS and Android platforms, greatly enhancing the mobile tip submission process. Still completely anonymous, tips submitted through the P3 mobile app, unlike SMS text tips, have no length limitations and allow images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip. Anderson Software’s sophistication encryption processes obscure any and all identifying information and provides assured anonymity for tipsters.
Champaign County Crime Stoppers Coordinator Wins National Award
September 27, 2016
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is very proud to announce that our former Law Enforcement Coordinator, Troy Daniels, has been named as the recipient of the highest honor awarded by Crime Stoppers USA. Daniels, who serves as Deputy Chief of the Champaign Police Department, received the Chairman's Award, on September 27, 2016, at the Crime Stoppers USA Conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
John Lamb, former chairman of Crime Stoppers USA, nominated Daniels for the award to recognize Daniels’s work for Crime Stoppers throughout his career. He said, "Troy Daniels has gone above and beyond on the national level for Crime Stoppers. That is what the award recognizes. He has sacrificed his time and energy on trips to Washington DC and multiple meetings with Congressmen and Senators as well as White House Officials trying to make this country a safer place to live. I also chose him because of his level of commitment to the organization."
"It’s been my honor and pleasure to work with these men and women from across the country with Crime Stoppers USA", Deputy Chief Daniels said. "I feel Blessed to be able to work with something I really believe in and I know Crime Stoppers helps a lot of people stay safe by keeping them anonymous. There have been a lot of people arrested through Crime Stopper tips that would not have been arrested without Crime Stoppers."
Daniels served as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Champaign County for 15 years, and continues to serve as an advisory member to the Board of Directors. "We are extremely pleased that Troy has received national recognition for his work that has moved the Crime Stoppers program forward on a local as well as a national level", said John Hecker, President of the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of Champaign County. "Troy has been a tireless leader for the betterment of the program and richly deserves this prestigious award."
Congratulations Troy!
Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year and Crime Stoppers/Busey Mills Scholarship Winners Announced
July 28, 2016
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County today announced the winner of the Second Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award at the organization’s Annual Meeting held at the Urbana Country Club. Also, the recipient of the first Crime Stoppers/Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship was announced.
The winner of this year’s Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award is Jorden Moore, who as a mentor to a young girl who was legally adopted by her foster parents, was told by the girl that she had been sexually abused by her adoptive father Daniel Baltierra over a period of years. When Moore learned Baltierra denied the abuse, the girl’s mother hid the abuse from investigators, and had instructed her daughter to mislead authorities, Moore made a commitment to expose the sexual abuse, including recording conversations where the crimes were discussed. Moore’s actions led to a confession by Baltierra and to his eventual felony conviction of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison on the Class X Felony in May, 2016.
Jorden Moore was nominated by two investigators with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office who worked the case, Sgt. Christopher Darr and Investigator Dwayne Roelfs (pronounced rollfs). In their nomination, they stated that Moore’s actions ultimately led to the re-examination of the suspect and to his conviction. They also said, "Moore initially volunteered to mentor a young girl in our community which then led to her protecting and pursuing justice for that girl. We would like to thank Jorden Moore for making our community a better place with her positive character, sound integrity, and commitment of protecting children."
The Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award was established by Crime Stoppers of Champaign County in 2015 in honor of the late WCIA-TV anchorman Dave Benton for his crime-fighting spirit exhibited during his award-winning newscasts and programs and as a Crime Stoppers board member. Dave lost his battle against cancer in May, 2015.
The winner of the 1st Annual Crime Stoppers/Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship is Chloe Buttry, a 2016 graduate of Centennial High School in Champaign. She will attend Parkland College this fall, majoring in Criminal Justice. As part of the application process, Buttry wrote a personal essay and submitted two letters of recommendation. The underlining purpose of this scholarship program is to promote criminal justice as a career and to financially assist a graduating senior in their pursuit of an education in the field of criminal justice.
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County 30th Annual Meeting
July 25, 2016
CRIMESTOPPERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
30th ANNUAL MEETING
DAVE BENTON CRIME FIGHTER AWARD PRESENTATION
and
CRIME STOPPERS/BUSEY MILLS SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION
As Crime Stoppers of Champaign County celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Crime Stoppers is proud to announce the winner of the Second Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award at its Annual Meeting to be held on July 28th. The award is given to a citizen of Champaign County who most exemplifies the crime-fighting spirit that Dave exhibited during his award-winning newscasts and programs on WCIA-TV, and as a Crime Stoppers board member. Dave lost his battle against cancer in May 2015. Also during the Annual Meeting, the winner of the first Crime Stoppers/ Busey-Mills Community Foundation Criminal Justice
Scholarship will be introduced.
Members of area law enforcement agencies are among the invited guests. Plus, this year’s guest speaker is long-time News-Gazette reporter Mary Schenk, who covers crime and courts and “breaking news” for the newspaper and website.
The Annual Meeting will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. on July 28, at the Urbana Country Club, 100 E. Country Club Road.
The winner of the Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award, the person who nominated the recipient, and John Hecker (President of the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors) will all be available to the media during a news conference to be held on the front lawn of the Country Club immediately following the meeting.
Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to Arrest of Alleged Shooter
June 12, 2016
(From a news release from the Champaign Police Department 6-12-2016)
Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to the Arrest of Suspect in Holly Hill Drive Shooting, along with Two Additional Wanted Subjects
Today (6/12/2016) at approximately 5:10 PM, Champaign Police Officers and Detectives arrested 37-year-old Peter L. Campbell, who was wanted for the June 10,2016, Holly Hill Drive shooting of a Champaign woman.
An anonymous Crime Stoppers tip led Police to the 2700 Block of Wellington Drive. As officers approached the home, Campbell attempted to flee from the residence through a back window; however, Police were able to apprehend the subject before flight, and without incident.
Campbell was transported to the Champaign County Jail for the offense of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. Bond is set at $150,000.
In addition to the arrest of Campbell, Police also arrested 21-year-old Raekwon Collins and 21-year-old Marcus Merriweather who were both wanted in Vermillion County on unrelated outstanding arrest warrants.
Police officials greatly appreciate the community’s partnership in this ongoing investigation and continue to encourage anyone with information to call the Champaign Police Investigations Division at (217) 351-4545 or Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-8477.
Champaign County Crime Stoppers Hosts State Conference June 9-11, 2016
June 06, 2016
The Illinois State Crime Stoppers Association Annual Conference will be held in Champaign June 9-11, 2016. The conference is being hosted by the Champaign County Crime Stoppers at the Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Champaign. Approximately 100 guests from Crime Stoppers organizations across the state are expected to attend the conference to exchange ideas, network, and learn about new ways to promote Crime Stoppers in their communities.
“This is the third time Champaign has hosted the State Conference,” reports John Hecker, President, Champaign County Crime Stoppers. “Crime Stoppers board members, coordinators, and supporters from across the state meet each year to share ideas and experiences about what works in their communities. People then take that information back home and expand or improve upon the services they offer via their local Crime Stoppers organizations. Across the state, Crime Stoppers tips have solved more than 82,000 cases, resulted in more than 125,000 arrests, and the recovery of $172 million in property. Put simply – Crime Stoppers works.”
In addition to hosting this year’s state conference, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a Murder Mystery Fundraiser on June 9th. The event is called “Maybury DOA” and follows a Barney Fife-like character as he attempts to unravel the mysterious happenings in his once peaceful town. This fun event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 each and a limited number are available for purchase at 373tips.com.
“The Murder Mystery is a fundraiser to help cover the money Crime Stoppers pays out for rewards and other expenses like our phone lines and website,” added Hecker. “This event is presented by the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, so this promises to be an entertaining, fun-filled evening and the proceeds go to a good cause. We hope to have a packed room full of people supporting Crime Stoppers.”
Champaign County Crime Stoppers Celebrating 30th Anniversary with Murder Mystery Fundraiser
May 31, 2016
In celebration of 30 years of service to our community, Champaign County Crime Stoppers invites the public to a unique night of fun and mystery. Attend Crime Stoppers’ Murder Mystery Fundraiser on June 9, 2016, starting at 6:30 pm at the Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Champaign. Tickets are $50 each and available for advanced purchase at 373tips.com.
The case: Maybury DOA –Usually, not much happens in Maybury, but lately life has been a bit different. In the past week, there’s been an infestation of rats, a fiery car crash, an accidental shooting, and a long-awaited engagement. What more could happen? Oh, that’s just the beginning for this evening of raucous fun like you’ve never seen, especially not on TV. Presented by the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company.
Event ticket includes heavy passed hors d’oeuvres and one specialty drink per guest. Limited number of event tickets available. Order at 373tips.com.
Champaign Crime Stoppers' Founder Gets Local Hero Award
February 10, 2016
(Courtesy of The News-Gazette)
John Hecker will received the Local Hero Award from the 2016 Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation at their recognition gala on April 2, 2016.
Hecker is a 1969 Central High School graduate, with John Gnagey, founded the Champaign County Crime Stoppers organization in 1986 to help police solve crimes by way of tips provided by the public. He served as the first president and continues to serve in that position. With Hecker's leadership, the organization has solved more than 1,600 cases and is now considered one of the finest Crime stopper organizations in the country.
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Nominations Sought for Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award
January 27, 2016
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is accepting nominations for the Second Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award. This annual award has been established by the Board of Directors in honor of former board member and WCIA-TV anchor Dave Benton. The intent is to recognize a Champaign County citizen who most exemplifies the crime-fighting spirit that Dave Benton exhibited during his award-winning newscasts, programs, and during his tenure as a member of the Crime Stopper’s Board of Directors. He lost his battle against cancer in May of 2015.
Nominations are open to all residents of Champaign County. A nominee should be an individual who has made a difference in the fight against crime. The individual must have been involved in an on-going activity or program that helped to stop a crime, solve a case or made a big difference in resolving a dangerous situation that made their neighborhood, community or Champaign County safer.
The Second Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award will be presented during the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in July. The deadline to submit nominations is June 1st. Nomination Forms can be found here on the Crime Stoppers website. Printed forms are also available at the front desks of area police departments, and at the Sheriff's Office.
The winner will also receive a monetary award of $500.
For further information, contact the President of the Board of Directors, Crime Stoppers of Champaign County, John Hecker at 217-356-8391.
Busey Donates $735 to Crime Stoppers
December 29, 2015
Champaign County Crime Stoppers thanks Busey Bank for their recent donation of $735 to our organization. Busey raises proceeds from a "Jeans Day" then donates the money to local non-profits. We are honored to be one of this years recipients. Thank you Busey! Crime Stoppers organizations in Champaign, Bloomington, Decatur, Peoria, and Florida all received donations.
Dawn Coyne (left) of Champaign County Crime Stoppers receives a check from Mitzi Villalon - Busey Pillar Relations associate.
Champaign County to Host 2016 Illinois State Crime Stoppers Conference
August 17, 2015
29th Annual Training Meeting and Conference
June 9-10-11, 2016
Hosted by the Champaign County Crime Stoppers
Hyatt Place Champaign
Champaign, IL 61820
More information, including registration information coming soon!
Crime Stoppers Announces Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award Winner
July 30, 2015
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County today announced the winner of the First Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award at the organization’s Annual Meeting held at the Champaign Country Club.
The winner is Michael Hao of Lake Zurich, Illinois. The University of Illinois junior impressed the Selection Committee by combining his long-term commitment to fighting crime with his skills as a Computer Engineering major. The Committee believes Michael most exemplifies the crime-fighting spirit exhibited by WCIA-TV anchorman Dave Benton during his newscasts and programs, and during his tenure as a member of the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. Dave lost his battle against cancer in May. Michael Hao is a member of the Student Patrol Program, which is an organization that developed the SafeWalk Program. Safe walks are offered to students, faculty and staff on campus during evening and late night hours to reduce the chances they could become a victim of a crime by walking alone.
Ryan Johnson, Campus Security Coordinator, nominated Michael for the Award. Johnson said he wanted to improve on the SafeWalk Program and asked Michael to develop a SafeWalk app for smartphones. In his nomination form, Johnson said it took about six months for Michael to create a one-of-a-kind app that allows students to quickly request a SafeWalk without placing a phone call. The app uses GPS technology to locate the student and a request for Student Patrol Officers is made by simply pressing a button. The Student Patrol Officers are quickly dispatched to the student’s location. Johnson also said “we believe the app will have a huge impact on campus for international students with poor English skills, incoming freshmen who are not familiar with campus, and intoxicated students who need help getting home from bars and house parties. Mike’s skills and abilities with technology have proven to be a difference maker within our community. His app, which is now owned and operated by the U of I, will help make the campus community a safer place to live, work and study.”
Michael said “this experience has not only taught me general programming skills, but it has more importantly shown me that these skills can be used to make our lives safer. I am very grateful to have had an opportunity to be part of something like this”.
Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award Presentation
July 22, 2015
The winner of the First Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award will be announced during the Annual Meeting of Crime Stoppers of Champaign County on July 30th. In addition to the special presentation of the award, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is honored to present the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Rita Garman, as this year's guest speaker. Members of area enforcement agencies are also among the invited guests.
The Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award has been established by the Crimestoppers Board of Directors and area law enforcement in honor of board member and WCIA-TV anchor Dave Benton. The intent is to recognize a Champaign County citizen who most exemplifies the crime-fighting spirit that Dave exhibited during his award-winning newscasts, programs, and during his tenure as a member of the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. Dave lost his battle against cancer in May.
The Annual Meeting will be held from 12-1:30 at the Champaign Country Club, 1211 South Prospect. The winner along with the person who nominated the recipent, and Champaign County Crimestoppers Board Presdient John Hecker will be available during a news conference, at the Crime Stoppers tent on the front lawn at the Country Club, directly following the meeting.
Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award - Call for Nominations
April 22, 2015
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County is accepting nominations for the First Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award. This annual award has been established by the Board of Directors in honor of board member and WCIA-TV anchor Dave Benton. The intent is to recognize a Champaign County citizen who most exemplifies the crime-fighting spirit that Dave Benton exhibited during his award-winning newscasts, programs, and during his tenure as a member of the Crime Stopper’s Board of Directors.
Nominations are open to the citizens of Champaign County. A nominee should be an individual who has made a difference in the fight against crime. The individual must have been involved in an on-going activity or program that helped to stop a crime, solve a case or made a big difference in resolving a dangerous situation that made their neighborhood, community or Champaign County safer.
The First Annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award will be presented during the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on July 30th. The winner will also receive a monetary award of $500.
The deadline to submit nominations is June 1st. Nomination Forms can be found on the Crime Stoppers website. Printed forms are also available at the front desks of area police departments, and at the Sheriff's Office.
For further information, contact:
John Hecker
President, Board of Directors
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County
217-356-8391
Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to Arrest in Shooting Case
December 09, 2014
Courtesy of the News-Gazette
CHAMPAIGN — A Champaign man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in that city in October was arrested Monday night on a warrant charging him with being an armed habitual criminal.
Champaign police found Kenneth E. Butler, 30, in the 1800 block of Valley Road in Champaign. He was wanted on a warrant that had been issued two days after Jermel Hedrick, 24, was shot and killed outside Butler’s home in the 1500 block of Winston Drive.
Champaign police said Butler had been in a bedroom in his home where police later found a loaded handgun on Oct. 25. They were conducting a court-authorized search of the residence after Mr. Hedrick had been found earlier in a truck in front of the house, shot multiple times.
Police are still not certain who fired the shots and no one has been charged with Mr. Hedrick’s murder, which was the second shooting that same day in Champaign that resulted in a death.
Yojevol Sturkey, 35, had been shot about 2:15 a.m. in the 900 block of West Bradley Avenue on Oct. 25. He died of his wounds on Oct. 29. No one has been charged in connection with his death, either.
Sgt. Dave Griffet said on Monday that police received information, including a Crimestoppers tip, that Butler was at the Valley Road apartment, which is the home of the girlfriend of one of Butler’s friends. Police watched the apartment while a detective obtained a search warrant for the place.
Griffet said officers tried to talk Butler into coming out but he refused so they assembled about eight SWAT team members. When confronted by those officers, Butler came out without resistance, Griffet said. There was another man in there with him. He was then taken to the Champaign police station, where he talked to detectives about what happened at the Winston Drive address on Oct. 25.
“He gave us a couple pieces of the puzzle. We have an idea. We just can’t prove it. We’re working on it,” Griffet said. “He was tied to that residence on Winston where the gun was recovered. That’s why the warrant was issued. We wanted to get him picked up on that and talk to him about the homicide. We are still doing what we can to find any possible witnesses to that event.” Police believe Mr. Hedrick’s shooting may have resulted from a fight that took place at an after-hours party at Butler’s home. Also staying there was Harvey Blakely, 29, who has been charged with drug offenses.
Blakely was the host of the after-hours party, police said. He was arrested that Saturday and charged the following Monday with unlawful possession with intent to deliver heroin and cocaine, both Class 1 felonies. Police found about 11 grams total of suspected cocaine and heroin in several individually wrapped bags under a mattress in the room they believe was Blakely’s. He remains in the Champaign County Jail in lieu of $510,000 bond and is due back in court next week.
Court records from Champaign County show Butler has previous convictions for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and burglary.
Butler was expected to make a court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
Tips to Help Prevent Residential Burglaries
November 09, 2014
From Rantoul Police:
The Rantoul Police Department is also reminding residents of the following tips to help prevent burglaries from occurring:
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home. This is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Deadbolts are good for outside doors.
• Keep your garage door, fence gates and sheds/storage buildings closed and locked. Regrettably, this should be done even when you are at home. Side gates allow thieves easy access to the back of your house, away and out of sight from the street. Not only are these areas full of valuable and easy-to-steal tools, but they usually contain implements that thieves can use to break into your home. Always lock doors between your house and garage.
• Do not let newspapers or mail pile up while you are away. Place a hold on these items or have someone collect them for you while you are away.
• Don’t advertise the property you have recently purchased or received as a gift. Put the boxes in a trash bag or trash container. If you leave them out, anyone can see what you now have inside your residence.
• Beware of “pretextual contacts”, such as individuals knocking on your door soliciting work, looking for a lost animal or stating that they thought a friend lived at the residence. These could be efforts to determine whether the home is unoccupied at the time. Take note of the direction in which the person walks, as well as any vehicles in which they enter, and notify the police of same.
Suspect Turns Himself Into Police after Crime Stoppers Feature
October 21, 2014
(Reprinted article from October 21, 2014 News-Gazette)
Crimestoppers alert leads to charge
Tue, 10/21/2014 - 12:38pm | Mary Schenk
Photo by: Provided
Sammy Boykins
Sammy Boykins, 46, of the 1200 block of Dorrie Miller Drive, was criminally charged Tuesday with theft with a prior theft conviction in connection with the theft of a backpack on Sept. 29.
University of Illinois police Sgt. Tom Geis said about 2:50 p.m. that day, an officer was sent to the basement of the Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St., U, where a woman reported her backpack had been stolen from an employees’ area at Einstein Bagels. Another employee saw a man in that area and when the employee spoke to the man, he took off.
Geis said the backpack with all its contents was recovered the next day in another UI building nearby. Police circulated surveillance video that clearly showed the alleged thief’s face to other police officers before making it the subject of Monday’s Crimestoppers. Geis said two police employees believed the man was Boykins.
Boykins turned himself in Monday at the Champaign police station. Geis said he admitted that he took the backpack in search of something value to sell so he could buy drugs. There was nothing of value to him in the bag, Geis said.
