Rockford's Leading Online News Source
Around 9:45 pm tonight emergency personnel were on scene of a bird attack in Rockford.
A child was attacked by a hawk near Jackson st in Rockford. The child was approx. 8 years old. Unknown on the severity of the injuries.
It is unclear if the hawk was a wild hawk or possibly a pet hawk.
Police are investigating several “In Progress” calls in Winnebago County.
In the past police have labeled the following crimes under “In Progress”: Murders, Shootings, Stabbings, Robberies, Home Invasions, Death Investigations, Etc…
Sources are reporting a scene at a local motel last night around 10:30 pm in the 7600 block of Colosseum in Rockford.
Sources said the local police got a tip on a wanted suspect that was staying at the motel.
Police conducted an investigation and found the wanted man.
Police arrested a man named Sam Giacalone.
He was booked in the jail around 12:30 am on several charges that include: Aggravated Battery, Domestic Battery, Violation of Bail Bond, violation of a no stalking order, etc… He is being held in the jail on a no bond.
Earlier tonight several officers had a vehicle stopped on Central, just North of School st.
The officers had the vehicle stopped in the northbound lanes of traffic.
Police had 2 subjects out of the vehicle and on the curb.
It appeared it was more than just a routine traffic stop, because the amount of officers on the scene. But it is unclear if it is just a traffic stop or more to it.
There was approx. 8 police officers on scene, for a traffic stop.
Note: Police log traffic stops in their call logs.
This scene was not in their call log.
RPD has not released any information.
Update: You can clearly see the officer saying “nothing is happening” and it was a “huge misunderstanding” on my body camera footage. Wrex just said this was some burglary suspects that were caught.
So now this poses a question: WHO is lying? The officer who said “nothing is happening” and is was a “huge misunderstanding” that you can clearly see and hear on my body camera footage, or the local news?
Around 5 am this morning sources told us about a scene that involved numerous officers in Machesney Park.
It happened near Ventura blvd. Just North of Ralston.
I got out of my vehicle to work the scene and just set up my camera when a WCSO officer and a Illinois State Trooper approached me and said to not go any further. I was a ways back and did not plan on going any further.
He then said that “absolutely nothing going on here” and I responded back and pointed and said “that’s nothing” (referring to all the police on scene) and laughed. The officer then responded back and said “it was a huge misunderstanding” and walked away. (body cam footage below)
I saw 3 jurisdictions on scene from my vantage point. Winnebago County Sheriff, Illinois State Police, Loves Park and what appeared to be a white van, possibly a crime scene unit but I wasn’t able to tell because an officer had the view blocked with his squad..
So it is unclear exactly what happened.
But police said it was a “huge misunderstanding”
Keep up the good work sending in your tips to us. SEE IT, SNAP IT, SEND IT
Call log shows it to be a suspicious auto call, with several area police departments responding to assist with a suspicious auto
Several sources are reporting a scene on the East side around 2:30 pm today.
We have been told this is another shooting scene. But again we can not confirm it due to the encryption. Several sources have reported it to be a shooting scene.
It happened around 2:30 pm today near 15th st and 16th ave.
No other information at this time
UPDATE: Admin Will went to work the scene, no police were on scene.
So it was unfounded or cleared up.
UPDATE: Sources are reporting that the 3rd alleged suspect, 21-year-old Dakota Graff walked into the CJC this afternoon and turned himself into the police. He is currently booked into the Winnebago County Jail.
He is the 3rd alleged suspect in this case.
On Saturday, June 1, 2019, officers from the Rockford Police Department took a Missing Persons/Welfare Check report involving William Pickering, 23. Police made several attempts to locate the individual with no success; however, his vehicle was located near his residence in the 500 block of Fisher Avenue. On June 20, 2019, during the course of the investigation, detectives located several people of interest in the case. The investigation led detectives to 5200 Indianhead Avenue where a crime scene was located. During the course of the investigation, information was obtained that led officers to an undisclosed location in unincorporated Winnebago County where the remains of William Pickering were located.
The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and authorized the below listed charges against the suspects:
William Arzate, 22: Two counts of first degree murder, One count of concealment of a homicidal death
Manuel Ramirez, 22: One count of concealment of a homicidal death
We are currently looking for other individuals in connection with this case. One of the individuals is wanted on an unrelated warrant – Dakota Graff, 20. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900 or Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
The two suspects were lodged in the Winnebago County Jail. The charges against the men are merely accusations. They are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
We got an email from William Pickering’s manager. He said: William goes by BillyDaKid079 and is a recording artist. He was formerly know as GMEBE Bandz and EBE Bandz. He is asking the public to help search for William. Please help find him! Not knowing if he’s alive or dead is a lot worse than knowing if he was dead.
UPDATE: RPD will only say they are investigating “Suspicious Activity”
Sources are reporting a scene on the west side near 500 Fisher ave in Rockford. We been told this is a possible murder investigation. But police have yet to release any information on this scene.
RS Source said: “There has been a scene on Fisher and Haskell on the west side all morning. lots of police, police yellow tape and one garage door up with a red vehicle in it. Don t know what’s going on but I live around the corner n I have kids I would like to know if I should be aware of anything. Cop told me “Were doing an investigation” my response was “Well DUH”. They are there n have been there since early this morning Fisher and Haskell”
Note: They been there since at least 10 am this morning, and still on scene as of 6:30 pm. Several sources are reporting it to be a murder scene. RPD has yet to release any information.
We been told the scene is related to the missing man ~ http://rockfordscanner.com/2019/05/31/rockford-scanner-missing-near-rockford-have-you-seen-him/
Sources are reporting a scene on the West side
Sources are reporting a few scenes last night. Unknown what happened, due to the encryption.
Recent call logs from the local police.
Note: Some violent crimes have been labeled as medical assist. Many ask why we post them. The answer is simple, police label violent crimes as medical assist in their call logs, and as long as they continue to do so, we will continue to post them.
Also, the recent murder next to the Rockford Police Station District 1 was labeled as a service to other agency non specific. Instead of an aggravated battery. We might start to post those as well since they have begun labeling violent crimes under this topic as well.
