Crime Stoppers Tips Leads to Arrest of Suspected Bank Robber
September 26, 2014
News-Gazette Article:
Suspected bank robber in custody
CHAMPAIGN — Tips to Crimestoppers led to the arrest of a Champaign County man believed responsible for recent robberies at a bank and a business in Champaign.
Champaign police said Michael Alexander, 37, who listed an address in Rantoul, was arrested Monday in Indianapolis by the U.S. Marshal's Task Force on a warrant issued by a Champaign County judge last Friday.
Alexander was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery for the holdups of the Illini Arcade, 33 E. Springfield Ave., on Sept. 12, and the First Midwest Bank, 812 W. Springfield Ave. on Sept. 15.
Sgt. Dennis Baltzell said the robbery of the adult bookstore took place about 11:30 p.m. on Sept 12. In that incident, the robber followed the female clerk behind the counter and then implied that he had a weapon and ordered her to open the cash drawer.
Baltzell said the woman, 23, did as the robber ordered and he made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. She wasn't physically hurt.
On the following Monday, a robber entered the bank around 3:20 p.m., handed over a note and implied — but did not display — a weapon. He then left on foot.
In both holdups, the robber made off with undisclosed amounts of cash. Baltzell said none of that was recovered.
After the bank holdup, police made public surveillance video pictures of the robber that prompted several calls to Crimestoppers.
Baltzell praised those callers for coming forward.
"Eventually, it would have gotten solved but they were the ones who got the ball rolling and we were able to tie the two cases together and make the suspect identification," said the police detective.
Police also collected physical evidence from both crime scenes that Baltzell said strengthened their cases against Alexander.
Judge Richard Klaus set bond on the warrant at $1 million.
Alexander was arrested without incident at the home of an acquaintance.
"I think the marshals were on him before he knew what happened," said Baltzell.
It will likely be months before Alexander gets returned to Illinois.
He is being held in the Marion County, Indiana, jail on Champaign County's warrant. He is also being held on a Vigo County, Indiana, arrest warrant for robbery and for an alleged violation of the parole he's currently serving from a prior Indiana criminal conviction.
"He will have to finish up his parole and deal with the new charge (in Indiana) so I'm not sure when we'll get a crack at him," Baltzell said.
Board Honors Resigning Member
May 29, 2014
At their May 29, 2014, monthly board meeting, Champaign County Crime Stoppers thanked and congratulated retiring Board member Jeff Cullers for his energy and faithful service to the local and State Crime Stoppers organizations.
President John Hecker thanks Jeff Cullers for his service to Crime Stoppers
CRIME STOPPERS SHRED-IT EVENT MAY 31, 2014
May 19, 2014
CRIME STOPPERS SHRED-IT EVENT
Protect your identity. Keep your old documents out of the wrong hands.
The best way to protect yourself against identity theft is to make sure your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. And just a few minutes on your part could make a huge difference.
Join Crime Stoppers of Champaign County Saturday, May 31st from 9am to 11am for the SHRED-IT EVENT. Bring your old personal documents to the State Farm Center (formerly known as Assembly Hall) where you can get rid of them permanently. We’re working with Monster Shred, a local company dedicated to helping you and the environment at the same time. We’ll accept the following documents: medical records, financial statements, credit applications, bank statements, documents with social security numbers or driver’s license numbers, bank checks, tax records and legal documents over eight years old.
There has been remarkable support for this annual event. It has helped to stop identity theft in Central Illinois, while saving more than 150 trees and more than 25 cubic yards of landfill space. But because of this success, we’re limiting the number of boxes that we can accept to make sure all the documents are shredded on the spot. The limit is two boxes no bigger than a Banker Box. For more details, log on to the Champaign County Crime Stoppers’ website at www.373tips.com.
The U. S. Department of Justice says identity theft hurts millions of people every year. John Hecker, President of Crime Stoppers of Champaign County believes a proactive approach can save you time, money and worry in the long run and Crime Stoppers is happy to lead the way.
Come out and join us Saturday, May 31st at the State Farm Center from 9am to 11am. Look for us in the parking lot across the street, immediately west of the State Farm Center (Lot E-14). Crime Stoppers is asking for a small donation of $5 to help pay future rewards. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests in cases across Champaign County.
'13 Annual Meeting Honors Major Contributors to Crime Stoppers
July 25, 2013
Crime Stoppers of Champaign County and its community partners were highlighted during its annual meeting today. Some of the group’s strongest supporters were honored by the Illinois State Crime Stoppers Board of Directors.
Illinois State Crime Stoppers honors individuals, groups and companies across the state every year for their participation on the local level. Thursday, six companies were given awards for their participation and dedication to this community partnership.
Illinois State Crime Stoppers honored the following businesses for helping to make a local fundraiser a success. The Outstanding Contributors of the Year Award went to the State Farm Center (formerly known as Assembly Hall) and to Monster Shred, Incorporated of Champaign. Both award winners donated time, space and services for the annual Champaign County Crime Stoppers’ Shred-It Event. The event encourages residents to bring their personal documents for shredding. Around 200 people safely destroyed their documents in June, keeping them out of the hands of criminals while saving space in landfills.
Four media outlets were also honored with the Media Organization of the Year Award. The winners were WCIA 3, WDWS/WHMS/WKIO, The News-Gazette and Adams Outdoor Advertising. These companies donated resources, print space, billboards and air-time to help Champaign County Crime Stoppers reach out to the public.
Those awards were presented at Champaign County Crime Stoppers’ annual meeting which was held Thursday at the Urbana Country Club at 100 E. Country Club Drive.
Board members also thanked law enforcement for their cooperation. John Hecker, President of Crime Stoppers of Champaign County believes the group’s on-going fight against crime would not be possible without the support of local law enforcement. Hecker adds the state recognition highlights the strength of the local program and its partnership with the community.
Shred-It Event A Rousing Success
June 01, 2013
Champaign County Crime Stoppers is proud to have served our community by offering to shred your private and financial documents at today's annual Shred-It Event. Many thanks to those who stopped by and supported us in our annual fundraiser. Also, a huge thank you to Monster Shred, who donated their equipment and services for today's event.
See you all again next year!
El dia de triturar papeles
May 21, 2013
El evento anual de triturar papeles de CrimeStoppers del Condado de Champaign
será el sábado, 1ro de junio desde las 9am hasta las 11 am. Estaremos en el
estacionamiento del Centro de State Farm (anteriormente conocido como Assembly
Hall) en la esquina de Kirby y la primera calle del campus de la Universidad.
Por una modica donación sugerida de 5$, CrimeStoppers le destruira con
seguridad sus documentos personales y financieros para mantenerlos fuera de las
manos de los criminales y ladrones de identidad. Tenga en cuenta que hay un límite
estricto de dos (2) cajas por vehículo - cada caja no más grande que una caja
de banqueros. Consulte más detalles acerca de este evento, incluyendo los tipos
de documentos que se aceptan para la trituración en nuestro sitio de
internet www.373tips.com. UN GRAN
AGRADECIMIENTO a Shred Monster por ayudarnos hacer posible nuestra recaudación
de fondos anual.
CRIME STOPPERS SHRED-IT EVENT JUNE 1, 2013
May 17, 2013
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – The best way to protect yourself against identity theft is to make sure your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. And just a few minutes on your part could make a huge difference.
Join Crime Stoppers of Champaign County Saturday, June 1st from 9 am to 11 am for the SHRED-IT EVENT. Bring your old personal documents to the State Farm Center (formerly known as Assembly Hall) where you can get rid of them permanently. We’re working with Monster Shred, a local company dedicated to helping you and the environment at the same time.
We’ll accept the following documents: medical records, financial statements, credit applications, bank statements, documents with social security numbers or driver’s license numbers, bank checks, tax records and legal documents over eight years old.
There has been remarkable support for this annual event. It has helped to stop identity theft in Central Illinois, while saving more than 150 trees and more than 25 cubic yards of landfill space. But because of this success, we’re limiting the number of boxes that we can accept. The limit is two boxes no bigger than a Bankers Box.
The U. S. Department of Justice says identity theft hurts millions of people every year. John Hecker, President of Crime Stoppers of Champaign County, believes a proactive approach can save you time, money and worry in the long run and Crime Stoppers is happy to lead the way.
Come out and join us Saturday, June 1st at the State Farm Center from 9am to 11am. Look for us in the parking lot under the marquee at Kirby and First on the U of I campus. Crime Stoppers is asking for a small donation of $5 to help pay future rewards. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests in cases across Champaign County.
Suspect Surrenders after Crime Stoppers Profile
March 02, 2013
According to an article in the March 2, 2013, issue of The News-Gazette, a .jpg "Dale Stump Photo")
suspect featured by Crime Stoppers on February 24th surrendered himself to police four days later. Dale Stump, who police suspected of steeling metal from a construction site (and also wanted for a forgery charge) turned himself into Urbana Police after learning he had been featured by Crime Stoppers. Formal charges were reportedly to be placed against him on March 1st.
Champaign County Crime Stoppers is proud to serve our community and help get criminal suspects off the streets. Please help support the work Crime Stoppers does for your community.
2013 Fight Crime 365 Raffle Ticket Drawing
January 31, 2013
Champaign County Crime Stoppers President John Hecker pulls a winning raffle ticket number while Treasurer Dawn Coyne looks on. Crime Stoppers thanks everyone who participated in our 2013 fundraiser. For an updated list of the winners drawn so far this year, click here.
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.jpg "Dale Stump Photo")
suspect featured by Crime Stoppers on February 24th surrendered himself to police four days later. Dale Stump, who police suspected of steeling metal from a construction site (and also wanted for a forgery charge) turned himself into Urbana Police after learning he had been featured by Crime Stoppers. Formal charges were reportedly to be placed against him on March 1st.
