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On Tuesday, May 28, 2019, shortly after 11:00 a.m., Rockford Police Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Hilton Avenue in reference to an unknown subject inside a house. Upon arrival, officers learned the male suspect entered the residence while a female victim was downstairs. The victim confronted the suspect, who then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was hurt. The suspect is described as a middle-aged white male, about 5’8”, 140 pounds.
On Sunday, June 2 shortly after 4:30 PM the Rockford Police Department RHA officers were on patrol when they observed three suspicious male subjects standing by a vehicle in the 300 block of 15th Ave.
During the investigation officers recovered a loaded handgun from the vehicle. One of the subjects provided officers with a false name. He was taken into custody and identified as 21-year-old Shannon Haynes. The other two subjects were released without charge.
Officers later learned the handgun was stolen from Milwaukee and are now working with the Milwaukee Police Department. Winnebago County states Attorney’s office reviewed the case and authorized the following charges:
aggravated unlawful use of weapons, possession of a stolen firearm, obstructing identification, no foid card. Haynes was lodged in the Winnebago County jail. The charges against Haynes are merely accusations he is considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law
Destiny sent us the following:
“My moms phone was stolen at the trampoline park around 2:00 today out of her car, it is a Samsung galaxy 7 and it had a black rubber case on it that is see through on the back, just trying to get the phone returned. Contact allen hall 8155091561 if found, it was taken at gar trampoline park in cherryvale by the mall around 2:30 and i called it and a guy answered and was talking to someone then hung up and turned the phone off.”
Around 12:30 pm today emergency personnel were responding to a gas odor investigation in Machesney Park.
It happened at an address near Emerald ln in Machesney Park. Reports are saying there was an explosion from a failed tank. There is no fire. But there was a gas odor.
Emergency personnel arrived on scene quickly and was able to have the scene under control very quickly.
Sources are reporting a scene on the East side.
Officers initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled. They were able to capture the passenger. The driver fled on foot from the area of 5th st and 4th ave. A police perimeter is being set up. Avoid the area.
UPDATE: 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/
Update: Sources told us the suspect is a hispanic male with a clean cut beard. Last seen in a dark colored ford explorer with damage to the fender on the drivers side. Last seen west bound from the scene near Rockford ave and Charles.
Source sent us the following: “two vehicles drove northbound on Rockford ave from Charles going toward state with a man standing in the sunroof of the second vehicle shooting multiple shots from a handgun at the first car in front
of it. shooters vehicle was the ford explorer previously noted in your
story”
Sources are reporting a shooting incident that just happened near Charles st on Rockford’s East side.
Several gunshots were heard. Sources said it sounded like it was more than one gun possibly involved from the sounds of the gunshots.
Unknown on suspect information at this time, because the encryption.
We held off on this story in hopes the RPD would release information on this, but they have yet to do so. So we are just going to post what information that was provided to us.
Sources were at the ER at the Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton last night around 10:30 pm when a shooting victim arrived at the ER. The victim is reported to have possible life threatening injuries, from what we been told.
Again, we sat on this shooting story in hopes the local police would have released information and we would of posted the press release. But RPD has yet to release any information on this, so we went ahead and did this post.
Jess StrongArm said: “My boyfriend and daughter heard gunshots! They were right by a fight where a girl was being jumped! Then heard gunshots! Our daughter is 10 and fell to the ground in fear. I was with our son at the swings who’s 5 and I seen a stampede of people and workers running screaming “Active Shooter!” I picked up my son and ran!!!!! “
Several sources said there is a scene at the Rockford Speedway.
There was a large fight that involved several individuals. At least one person had a gun. No reports of shots fired. There were injuries being reported.
Several officers from several jurisdictions are on scene.
No other information at this time.
NOTE: Reports of a fair that is going on at the speedway
Sources are reporting a shooting victim in Rockford.
It happened just before 9 pm tonight near Parmele on the East side.
Reports of several gunshots being fired and at least one shooting victim.
It is not yet known on the severity of the injuries.
No suspect information, due to the encryption.
