McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout reports the arrest of William N. Kimmel, 19, of Loami, IL, Mason E. Fuller, 19, of Ipava, IL, and Christopher M. Fernandez, 20, of Bardolph, IL.
On February 9, 2020 at 11:32 p.m. a resident in the 1400 block of East 1600th Street of rural Macomb Township reported a burglary and stolen vehicle to the McDonough County Communications Center. The victim reported to dispatchers that he just watched his truck leave northbound on East 1600th Street towards Bushnell. A notification was sent out to all the deputies.
A McDonough County Sheriff’s Deputy located the stolen vehicle, a maroon 2007 Chevrolet truck near the Bushnell Police Department. The deputy activated his emergency lights and conducted a felony traffic stop on the stolen vehicle at Ludwig Street and Illinois Route 41 in Bushnell. The stolen vehicle stopped long enough for the deputy to get out of his vehicle and then sped away. The deputy pursued the stolen vehicle.
Another McDonough County Deputy located the vehicle near Bardoplh, IL and the stolen vehicle drove through a field near the intersection of East 1800th and North 1300th to avoid the deputies. The vehicle then traveled north into Bardolph after it turned off its headlights and hit a ditch at the intersection of Hanna Street and Poplar Street. Both occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. At 12:12 a.m. after a short chase both suspects were apprehended by deputies and identified.
The driver, William Kimmel, was transported to McDonough District Hospital for an injury he sustained in the traffic crash. The passenger, Mason Fuller, was taken to the McDonough County Jail. Kimmel was released from the hospital after a few hours and transported to the McDonough County Jail. A third suspect was arrest, Christopher Fernandez, for his participation in the burglary and theft of the vehicle.
William Kimmel was charged with Burglary, Theft Over $500.00, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Resisting a Peace Officer, and Aggravated Reckless Driving. Kimmel was issued several traffic citations. Kimmel needs $50,000.00 cash bond 10% to apply.
Mason Fuller was charged with Burglary, Theft Over $500.00, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Resisting a Peace Officer. Mason needs $20,000.00 cash bond 10% to apply.
Christopher Fernandez was charged with Burglary, Theft Over $500.00, and Resisting a Peace Officer. Fernandez posted $730.00 cash bond and was released from custody on 02/09/20.
The Bushnell Police Department assisted in the investigation.
All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Photos/McDonough County Sheriff Facebook Page)