Rockford's Leading Online News Source
Sources are reporting a possible kidnapping.
Police are investigating a possible kidnapping.
A vehicle described as a Silver GMC Terrain was in the area of I-90 and Irene rd.
In the back window of the vehicle it has the word “Kidnapped”
The driver had a stocking cap on.
Police are searching for the vehicle to investigate to see if this is a valid kidnapping. Still developing
On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at approximately 4:45 AM the Rockford police responded to the 1700 block of Genoa Street in reference to a domestic battery complaint involving a gun.
Upon their arrival officer learned a 31-year-old male and a 32-year-old female got into an argument that led to a physical altercation. The two had a domestic relationship.
Officers located a vehicle in the driveway of the residence that had had been reportedly damaged with a shovel by the female. Officers then learn the male fired off one round from a handgun into the air. No one was injured and nothing was struck by the gunfire.
Officers took the mail identified as James Howell into custody and arrested him for reckless discharge. Police took him down to the Winnebago County jail and lodged him. According to the jail website he is currently on no bond with a felony pending and his next court date is Unavailable.
The charges against him are merely an accusation and he is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Just before noon today emergency personnel were working two different accidents in Rockford.
The first accident was near Harrison and Manchester.
The other accident scene was near College and Kishwaukee.
It is not yet known on the severity of the injuries at either of the accident scenes.
One of the vehicles involved at one of these accident scenes is reported stolen.
Please avoid both of these areas or expect traffic delays.
The cause of these accidents are under investigation
ISP DISTRICT 11 TROOPER INJURED IN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE AFTER PURSUING ARMED CARJACKING SUSPECT
The following preliminary information is being release by the Illinois State Police.
Collinsville, IL – On Saturday, March 16, 2019, at approximately 3:45 p.m., the Illinois State Police (ISP) received information from the Glen Carbon Police Department regarding an armed carjacking. This incident took place in the area of the Sam’s Club in Glen Carbon where shots were fired by the suspect.
An ISP Trooper responded to the area and located the suspect vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 55. The Trooper attempted to stop the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued into the City of Staunton, returning back toward Interstate 55.
The suspect vehicle, while still being pursued by the ISP Trooper and Staunton Police Department ran off the roadway and got stuck in the median near the intersection of Staunton Road and Interstate 55. The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
The ISP Trooper initiated a foot pursuit of the suspect who brandished a handgun and fired at the Trooper. The Trooper returned fire, striking the suspect, fatally wounding him.
The suspect had no identification on his person and remains unidentified at this time. A handgun was recovered at the scene of the shooting.
The ISP Trooper suffered gunshot wounds and has been transported to a regional hospital where his injuries are reported to be non-life threatening. The Trooper is 36 years old and is an 11 year veteran of the Illinois State Police.
The carjacking incident that took place near the Glen Carbon Sam’s Club is being investigated by the Glen Carbon Police Department and additional information regarding that incident will be available from them.
A full investigation has been launched by the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation. No additional information is available at this time. Once additional information is available, it will be provided via press release.
UPDATE: The Illinois State Police (ISP) confirm the identity of the suspect involved in yesterday’s shooting on Interstate 55 near Staunton Road. The suspect has been identified as Billy L. Walker Jr., a 53 year old male of Hillsboro, Missouri. The Macoupin County Coroner confirms the official time of death for Walker was 4:45 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2019.
Prior to the incident in Glen Carbon, Walker was discovered to have an outstanding felony warrant for probation violation resulting from weapons offenses. Walker was considered armed and dangerous.
The ISP Trooper involved in the shooting incident is recovering in a regional hospital and is expected to return to duty. Queries for additional information regarding the original incident in Glen Carbon should continue to be directed to Glen Carbon Police Department. No additional information will be released from the Illinois State Police regarding this incident.
Just before 11 AM this morning the Rockford fire department were responding to a fire at a residence on the west side.
Initial reports are saying the microwave was on fire and shooting flames in the 3500 block of Elm Street on Rockford’s Westside.
When the Rockford fire department arrived on scene they were quickly able to get the situation under control and minimize the damage. No reports of injuries at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Andrea Tim Dacy Brown said:
“Lost Coach wallet wristlet in Michaels parking lot in Dekalb Illinois. It has all of my identification in it and also my Numbered Military challenge coin in it.”
Update 3/18/2019 at 11:00 am:
Police said they had reports of a possible sighting of him. They investigated and now said the person they had reports on, was not the missing man.
Update 3/18/2019 at 10:20 am:
Police said they just had a possible sighting of him. He was riding a bicycle, he was westbound on 20. He had on a black hoody and Khaki pants and a black trash bag. Police are searching the area for him. He is still missing.
Overnight several area police departments were involved in a high speed chase. It stemmed from a shooting incident in Beloit bear Wisconsin and Bayliss. Several shots were fired.
Police located the suspect vehicle a short time later. The suspect vehicle fled from police. Speeds were well over 100 MPH at times during the chase.
During the chase, the suspect went off road.
They fled into Illinois. South Beloit Police threw out stop sticks to stop the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle hit the stop sticks. The suspect vehicle pulled over and they fled on foot.
One was held at gunpoint. They got another suspect a short time later. One is still at large. The suspects were last seen westbound jumping a fence from I-90 going into the area near of the S Beloit ramp.
Numerous police officers from several departments are assisting with the search of the suspects.
Info and audio from our friends at Beloit Scanner
It happened around 7:45 pm in the area of the 100 block of E Riverside. That is near the Sand Park Pool/Mobil Gas Station area.
Reports of an automobile accident near this location.
Extrication was being requested.
Injuries were being reported. It is not yet known on the severity of the injuries.
Avoid the area or expect delays.
Update: It appears the accident is in the Mobil parking lot and it appears everyone is out of the vehicle.
Sources are reporting a scene near Charles and 14th st.
Rockford Police have a perimeter setup and a police K-9 in the area.
It is not yet clear exactly what happened.
Police have a house surrounded and have taken at least two people out in handcuffs.
All we can confirm right now is a lot of emergency personnel working the scene. Avoid this area, check back later for updates.
