Activities During May 2000

During an evening patrol on the Rock River two commercial fishermen were discovered fishing with a trammel net in the Colona area. Both of these actions were in violation of their Rock River contract. The officer seized the net and charged both subjects with a violation of their contract, fishing an untagged net, and filed a nuisance/confiscation on the net.

While on patrol at Starved Rock State Park, a CPO patrolled a posted and fenced restricted area along the base of Starved Rock where a month earlier, a subject had fallen into the Illinois River and drowned. To the officer's disbelief, he saw three unsupervised kids (8-11 years old) boarding a 4-5' inflatable raft at the same location as the drowning. On this date, however, the water was at least three feet higher than on the day of the drowning. The officer climbed the barricade, climbed down the rock and grabbed the raft, pulling the three kids to safety (one nearly fell into the river). The location has a strong undertow and current that would have pulled the raft into the Starved Rock dam.

On May 20, a CPO responded to a boat accident/drowning call at Indian Point Campground south of Abingdon. Recovery efforts by the officer, and Knox County and Abingdon Fire and Rescue Units were unsuccessful until the following morning. Toxicology results are pending but no alcohol or drugs are suspected.

A CPO arrested two Iraqi citizens on May 21 for illegal fishing with a seine. The men were using a seine in shallow water to catch rough fish near US 20 near Freeport. Upon seeing the officer pull up to their location, the men dropped the seine and tried to flee in two feet of water. However, the water continued to get deeper and colder as the men tried to get away. The officer found them hiding in some willows in knee deep water and arrested them.

A routine night on patrol turned out to be not so routine at Banner Marsh Fish & Wildlife Area. A CPO arrested a Pekin man for OUI and fishing violations. The subject was seen operating a boat to the dock and was obviously intoxicated. A State Police Sergeant assisted the CPO with the arrest. The subject blew .21% BAC. While en route to the Peoria County jail with the prisoner, the CPO saw a pickup truck leave the roadway, go around a telephone pole, then become airborne back onto the highway. As he followed the truck the driver was in the left lane approaching a blind curve. With the prisoner screaming "I'm going to die" the officer stopped the pick up truck which almost flipped over as it pulled off at too steep of an angle. As the officer talked to the driver, a bag of marijuana blew out of the back window, landing on his boots. The CPO then assisted the same State Police Sergeant with this DUI driver who refused a breath test.

A CPO was enforcing the alcohol ban at Illini State Park when he discovered a Crest Hill man in possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The subject was taken to the LaSalle County jail and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of alcohol against posted regulations.

Two CPOs responded to a call at French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park of a 14 year old Mendota boy who fell approximately 40 feet while climbing down the canyon. The boy, who landed on his hands, had obvious fractures to both wrists and his upper left arm. Utica fire and ambulance transported the boy to the hospital. No citations were issued due to the boy's age. He was unsupervised at the time of the fall.

Eight illegal hoop nets were seized on the Mississippi River. Since some had tags originating in Metropolis, the officer believes they were stolen. An investigation continues.

On May 20, a CPO stopped a red Corvette traveling at a speed of 56 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone at Starved Rock State Park. The officer soon determined that the subject was DUI. The subject began to resist after being handcuffed. The scuffle was soon ended with the additional charge of resisting arrest being added to DUI, speeding and no proof of insurance citations. The subject agreed to a breath test, which indicated a BAC of .153. Several days later the officer received two separate phone calls. The first was from the 29-year-old subject's mother who wanted to apologize for her sons bad behavior. She stated that he does not react well to alcohol. The second call was from the subject himself. During this call the subject stated that he wanted to apologize and that there was no defense for his resisting arrest or for drinking and driving. He then added that his attorney had told him not to speak to anyone about the case.

A subject was arrested at Argyle Lake for exceeding the limit of bluegill. He and his wife were in possession of 25 bluegill. The limit is 10 each.

During the month of May, a CPO investigated a boat explosion that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend. The investigation revealed that the owner of a 37-foot houseboat had removed a propane refrigerator unit from the watercraft the year prior. The owner failed to cap the open line that also ran to the oven. As the owner and a female passenger began to prepare breakfast they had turned the oven on and were attempting to light it. The gas from the open line ignited, causing an explosion. The owner and female passenger jumped into the Illinois River to extinguish the flames to their clothing and bodies. A third passenger suffered from burns to his face and hands. The owner and female passenger suffered from severe burns to their torso, head, arms and hands. All three were airlifted to Loyola Medical Center's Burn Unit.

REGION II

Three arrests were made during the month for illegal netting of game fish on the lower Fox River in McHenry and Kane Counties. Other fishing related arrests included four people with five undersized bass at Wolf Lake, and falsification of a license.

A CPO had a busy day on May 6 which began with an appearance at a hunter safety class and then fishing license checks in Lake and McHenry Counties prior to working at Chain O'Lakes State Park. The day included arrests for no fishing licenses, undersized bass, and an overlimit of bass. At 3:00 p.m., the CPO began his park shift where he encountered the following: one battery, one disorderly conduct, four people in possession of cannabis, two people in possession of drug paraphernalia, and over 50 underage people in possession of alcohol. Later in his shift, he encountered two more cannabis and one drug paraphernalia violation and 40 additional underage alcohol violations. As a result of this activity, a detail was initiated the following weekend with 25 more arrests being made.

A CPO began an investigation of a canoe accident that resulted in a double fatality. The victims went over the Wilmington Dam on the Kankakee River. A sergeant assisted.

While detailed to William Powers Conservation Area, a CPO and a PCPO observed a subject drive between the rear of their squad and the front of a parked vehicle. The subject then drove onto the grass, toward a group of pedestrians, made a circle (avoiding the pedestrians), and finally came to a stop after crashing into a tree behind the squad. The elderly subject had no idea he had hit a tree and still had his foot on the accelerator when the officers approached his vehicle. The subject stated that he had forgotten to take his required daily medication. Appropriate action was taken.

While checking fisherman at Silver Springs State Park, a CPO and a PCPO came across a subject without a fishing license. A background check revealed an active order of protection that prohibited the subject from being in contact with his son, who was also present. A language barrier made it difficult to sort things out. Subsequently, the adult was taken to Kendall County Jail, where he was booked for felony violation of an order of protection. The circumstances were unfortunate as the petitioner for the order of protection and soon to be ex-wife had in fact allowed their son to go with the father that day.

An arrest was made for selling a boat with no title resulting from a complaint by the purchaser. It was discovered the offender still owed money to the dealer the boat had originally been purchased from.

A CPO assisted the State Police, Bradley P.D., FBI and ATF in a search of Kankakee River State Park for a fugitive wanted in a church bombing that had occurred in Bradley, IL.

A total of ten arrests on active warrants were made during the month by six CPOs. Two PCPOs also were involved in several of these arrests during their field training.

Additionally, 29 other cannabis or drug related arrests, not previously mentioned in this report, were made during the month by four CPOs and a PCPO.

A total of eight various presentations were made this month by a sergeant, three CPOs and a PCPO. The presentations included five grade schools, one junior high, a local college and two other agencies.

REGION III

Lake Shelbyville experienced good fishing this spring which resulted in over a hundred arrests for short fish and over limits. Regional personnel conducted several ramp and roadside checks to detect fish violations at Lake Shelbyville and Clinton Lake.

After receiving a complaint of shooting along the Vermilion River in Danville on May 5, a PCPO investigated and discovered that a Danville man had shot and killed two adult geese with a .22 caliber pistol. The pair had a brood of goslings.

Two CPOs investigated a report of a Clark County man illegally possessing alligators. He was found to be in possession of two four foot long animals. With the assistance of a Heritage Biologist, the animals were seized and the subject was cited under the Dangerous Animal Act.

On May 14, an equestrian accident was investigated that occurred at Middle Fork SWA in which a 12 year old girl fell from her horse, caught her foot in the stirrup, and was dragged for several hundred yards. She suffered severe injuries that placed her in the Intensive Care unit of the hospital.

On May 19, a sergeant responded to an ISPERN dispatch of a male motorist who waved a gun at another driver who cut him off at an exit on I-74. The sergeant found the subject and arrested him with assistance from the ISP. The man had a loaded .357 pistol and was a gun dealer from Ohio and a former police officer.

While working in Moraine View State Park on May 20, a man reported to a CPO that he had previously had his outboard motor stolen at the park. The man said that although it had been repainted he thought his motor was on a boat being used on the park lake. The officer investigated and discovered that it was in fact the stolen motor. The Fairbury man using the motor admitted he had stolen it weeks earlier and returned to the lake to use it.

While a CPO was walking up to a group of four teenage fishermen at Lake Shelbyville on May 17, they fled into the woods to prevent being discovered with alcoholic beverages, short crappie, and no fishing licenses. Another CPO and a sergeant assisted with the search and by coincidence the subjects ran out into the road in front of a different CPO, who was there on his day off. That CPO, found the officers in pursuit and assisted also. All of the teens were captured. They had extensive criminal histories and many charges were added to their record.

A Peoria man was arrested for reckless operation of a PWC on Lake Shelbyville on May 27. He was operating the PWC while sitting backwards on the cowling and dragging another subject who was holding onto the stern of the machine. A computer check revealed that the subject has been cited for reckless operation of watercraft last year also.

A boating accident was investigated that occurred on a quarry pond in Livingston County on May 29. An 11-year-old boy was thrown from a PWC when he hit a sand bar. Extensive injuries required the youth be airlifted to Peoria. This was the boy's first day operating the newly purchased machine. He had not received any training and was not accompanied or being supervised by a parent. The father was cited for allowing him to operate the machine.

An interesting pollution case was investigated in which a Fed Ex driver was observed and reported to have thrown a package into the Embarras River. The investigation revealed that a Sullivan man had mailed a package of human feces to someone and the driver was disposing of it.

A sergeant, five CPOs and a PCPO assisted the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office in the search for a drowning victim in the Vermilion River. Our officers recovered the body.

A CPO and a sergeant both made OUI arrests.

Arrests on warrants were made by four CPOs, and a PCPO arrested a subject with four warrants.

Five cannabis and other drug related arrests were made by two CPOs and one arrest by a PCPO.

Fifteen miscellaneous public speaking engagements were made by six CPOs, two PCPOs and a sergeant.

A CPO and a PCPO were called to a traffic jam on Interstate 74 to rescue and relocate a family of mallard ducks who were trying to cross the highway. The traffic would not move and TV stations were present. Our officers did a good job and represented the department well on TV interviews.

A CPO organized a PWC class for other Law Enforcement agencies and the public. Although not attended by the public, several officers attended.

A PCPO and a CPO were honored at a law enforcement awards ceremony on May 23 in Peoria County. They received a plaque by the Illinois Police Association for their capture of a fleeing felon who was wanted for aggravated battery to an Illinois State Trooper. The PCPO and the CPO were left to secure a barn in the search area that had already been cleared by officers from other agencies. They searched the building again and located the man hiding within a cattle feed box with boards covering himself.

Training was conducted for Wolf and Eagle Creek State Park employees on the new AED Heartsaver (defibulator).

REGION IV

On May 5, a Moro man and woman were arrested at Beaver Dam State Park. The man was incarcerated for possession of 2.5-10 grams of marijuana and open alcohol in a motor vehicle. The woman was cited for no valid driver's license and open alcohol.

On May 7, a Petersburg man was cited for OUI on the Sangamon River. The man had apparently spent most of the evening walking and boating around Petersburg while intoxicated.

On May 14, while working at the John Hays River Access in Adams County, a CPO arrested two subjects for various vehicle violations and illegal possession of a small quantity of prescription drugs.

On May 26, while patrolling the Kaskaskia River Fish and Wildlife area, a CPO arrested a Baldwin man. The underage subject was found to be in possession of alcohol and cannabis, and was wanted on a St. Clair County arrest warrant.

On May 26, at Eldon Hazlet State Park, a vehicle clocked on radar at 65 mph in a 35 mph zone, was stopped by two CPOs. All the occupants were found to possess open alcohol.

On May 27, a sergeant assisted ambulance and park personnel at Siloam Springs State Park with a horse riding accident. A Mendon man's horse fell on him causing severe chest injuries. The subject had to be removed by ATV.

On May 27, while patrolling John Hays River Access area, a CPO arrested a Hannibal, Missouri man for DUI.

Also on May 27, with the help of the ISP, a CPO cited nine people for underage consumption of alcohol and operating ATVs on the roadway. One subject was also wanted on a Logan County arrest warrant.

On May 27, two Fairmount City men were cited for snagging fish at Carlyle Lake. One subject was also wanted on a warrant.

On May 27, a CPO stopped a vehicle in Edinburg after observing a beer can being thrown from it. While questioning the occupants of the car, a young boy on a bicycle approached the CPO and told him he had found a "real gun." The gun a .380 caliber semi-auto pistol was recovered safely. An occupant of the vehicle admitted throwing it out of the car. He was arrested for unlawful use of weapons.

On May 28, two Springfield men were arrested for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia at Sangchris Lake State Park.

On May 28, a CPO observed a fisherman at Edward Madigan State Park smoking cannabis. The subject, while being searched, threw cannabis into Salt Creek. The officer struggled physically with the subject for 30-45 seconds while trying to arrest him. The threatened use of pepper spray calmed the situation.

On May 29, two CPOs responded to a call of a woman being shot at Frank Holten State Park. Witnesses stated that they heard a couple arguing while driving through the park. The vehicle operator, an East St. Louis man, then shot his passenger, a Centerville woman, in the buttocks as she tried to exit the vehicle. One CPO and an ISP Trooper arrested the shooter a short time later when he returned to his residence. The subject was also wanted on a St. Clair County warrant.

On the same day, at Frank Holten State Park, an incident was investigated in which a 20-year-old Washington Park woman battered a 16 year old girl also from Washington Park. The 16-year-old was hit in the face and bitten several times. The subjects were arguing over the husband of the 20-year-old.

During a detail on May 29, a Wisconsin man was cited for collecting snakes at Illinois Beach State Park.

On May 30, a CPO arrested a Petersburg man for OUI on the Sangamon River. The officer was responding to a report that the subject was missing. This is the same subject another CPO arrested earlier in the month at nearly the same location.

In some previously reported incidents:

•Two subjects who fired shots at a tug boat in Scott County were ordered to pay costs and restitution of $1,258.97 each.

•Three subjects found to be hunting doves over bait in Mason County paid a total of $1,590 fines in Springfield federal court.

 

REGION V

A boating accident was investigated on May 29 that occurred on Vandalia Lake involving a PWC and a conventional ski boat. Damage was documented to both vessels with no injuries reported. The operator of the PWC was cited.

Two CPOs, while assisting Indiana DNR, recovered the body of a 18-year-old drowning victim on May 14. At approximately 12:30 AM, the subject was thrown from his boat when the motor started in gear He was struck several times by the circling boat before disappearing. Individuals in another boat attempted to rescue the youth with no success. PFDs were present but were not worn.

Two CPOs were contacted by the Richland County Sheriff's Office on May 28 regarding an individual who had been missing since approximately 9:30 PM on May 27. She had taken a ride with a male companion on an ATV which became stuck in the mud. She went for assistance but became lost and at some point during the course of her travels she broke her ankle. The male subject walked to his house a short time later and called for assistance. The female subject was found in good condition after spending two nights in the flooded river bottoms of the Little Wabash River.

A CPO assisted Indiana DNR and search and rescue personnel with recovery efforts for the body of a 15 year old Indiana teen who had drowned on the Indiana side of the Wabash River near Grayville, IL. At the time of this report his body has not been recovered.

A PCPO responded to a fishing without permission complaint on coal mine property in Jefferson County. Upon arriving at the lake, the officer observed three subjects fishing. When they detected the PCPO, two of the fishermen ran and the third became stuck knee deep in mud and surrendered. While the PCPO was issuing citations to the suspect he had in custody, a Jeep drove by his location. The suspect advised the officer that the other two suspects were in the Jeep. He radioed another PCPO who was able to stop the Jeep and return to the first PCPO's location. All suspects were issued citations for fishing without permission and fishing without licenses.

While a CPO and a sergeant were on boat patrol on Rend Lake, they checked two fishermen. An inspection of their live wells revealed that they were having a good day fishing with 30 white bass in the wells. The only problem was that the limit for the two fishermen was 20 total. They were issued citations and the fish which were still alive were released back into the lake.

During the Memorial Day weekend, a CPO responded to a complaint at the Kinkaid Lake Marina. Three men had rented a pontoon boat and were due back by 5:00 PM. When they returned after 6:00 PM, the owner of the marina kept the $50.00 deposit because of the late return. The men had been drinking and became aggressive. Two of the men had to be taken down and handcuffed and all were transported to Jackson County Jail where they were charged with disorderly conduct.

Region V Officers made the following arrests on Department properties: four arrests on warrants, one cannabis possession (over 10 grams), three expired or suspended driver's licenses, and one DUI.

A subject who was cited by a CPO on several occasions for fishing without permission on Burning Star Coal Mine property near DeSoto, recently paid $760 in fines and costs for the offense plus his fishing equipment was forfeited to the IDNR.

An investigation concerning the fraudulent acquisition of resident firearm deer permits conducted by a CPO in March ended up with a guilty plea in Pulaski County from an El Paso, Texas resident. He was ordered to pay a total of $2500 in fines, court costs and civil penalties on two unlawfully taken deer.

A CPO made a public speaking appearance at the Fairfield Sorority Dinner given in appreciation of all area police officers. The dinner was attended by local police, Illinois State Police and EMT's.

A CPO gave a safety talk and inspected boating equipment at the annual McLeansboro Crappie Tournament and speaking appearances to five different fifth grade classes in Hamilton County Schools.

Three CPOs attended a handicapped children's fishing derby on Blyer's Lake in Jackson County. Approximately 800 children were present.

A CPO and a PCPO represented IDNR-OLE at the Shawnee Junior College for the Junior High School Career Days.

A CPO and a sergeant represented the IDNR-OLE at the Eldorado Police Officers Memorial ceremony. The ceremony was also conducted in conjunction with the Eldorado Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion to honor veterans who lost their lives defending their country.

LAKE MICHIGAN ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

The major development along the lakefront was the initiation of an alcohol ban at Illinois Beach State Park on May 1. The weather in May preempted any significant enforcement activity. On almost every weekend, the temperatures were low along the lakefront and on most weekends we experienced some form of rain. We did, however, implement a new program of supplementing our personnel on weekends with out-of-region CPOs, in order to cover all of our assignments. Most of the public reaction to the new alcohol ban has been very positive. An otherwise rather uneventful month at Illinois Beach State Park was marred by the apparent suicide of a local college student in the park, which occurred on Mother's Day.

While downstate areas were experiencing a drought, the Chicago area was experiencing sporadic flood conditions. As a result of the dramatic weather shifts, our enforcement activity varied widely during the month. Most importantly, though, was the arrival of four new personnel for the initiation of the field training phase of the new recruit program. If all goes well, these new officers should be on their own and ready to assume their new duties as a Conservation Police Officer by mid-July of this year.

On May 9, our personnel provided security for the dedication ceremonies at Illinois Beach State Park, renaming both the park and neighboring North Point Marina after renowned outdoorsman and WGN radio talk show host, Bill Cullerton. Both sites will now be referred to as part of the William R. Cullerton complex.

A CPO made a presentation to the North Shore Rod and Reel Club, in Evanston, and a boating safety class in Chicago. Two CPOs provided local Winthrop Harbor elementary school students the opportunity to learn about boating safety. They demonstrated some of the equipment we carry on our patrol boats to the children. Each year, the highlight of the tour occurs when one of the teachers climbs into a survival suit and jumps into the water at North Point Marina.

All personnel attended a class on fingerprinting, taught by staff of the Illinois State Police, and their quarterly Defense Tactics session as well.

CPOs participated in the Chicagoland Safe Boating Celebration, on May 22-23, at Navy Pier in Chicago, to help kick off National Safe Boating Week. As in the past, a number of agencies and private companies involved in boating safety were represented at the celebration.

A CPO had a busy weekend in May at Wm. Powers Conservation Area. On May 13, he arrested a Chicago man as a result of a traffic stop in the park, along the main road near a crowded picnic area. The subject recorded a 0.18 BAC. The next day, the same CPO encountered an intoxicated man sitting behind the steering wheel of the man's car along the road. The officer arrested that man for DUI, and the man later recorded a 0.232 BAC.

A boat accident was investigated on the Cal Sag Channel, at the Alsip boat launch. A Palos Park man had borrowed his father-in-law's boat and attempted to launch it at the Alsip ramp. After some difficulty in getting the boat's inboard engine started, the man finally backed away from the ramp, whereupon he switched on the power ventilation system. At that instant, the gasoline vapors in the engine compartment exploded, causing the boat to burn to the waterline.

Fortunately, the man jumped overboard and suffered no injuries. Needless to say, the boat was a total loss.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Investigators concluded an investigation into improper registration of watercraft by a proprietor of a Sportsman's Club. Two citations were issued; one to the individual and one to the club.

Investigators worked on several environmental cases for the month. A case involving a open dump in Edgar County has been referred to the State's Attorney's Office.

Investigators worked with District 11 officers at Lake Shelbyville. Seventeen citations for fishing violations were issued over the weekend period.

Several environmental cases are scheduled for trial in July.

A sergeant attended a 3 hour course on conducting background investigations.

A sergeant, accompanied by a Deputy Director, made a presentation to a son of a CPO on behalf of the International Association of Wildlife Investigators.

TRAINING

Weather Watcher: District #11 personnel, a sergeant, five CPOs and two PCPOs attended a three-hour class entitled "Weather Watcher" on May 3, 2000. The class was sponsored by the National Weather Service, and instructed by Rod Palmer. It was held at the Eagle Creek Resort. Training synopsis: how to effectively spot and identify severe weather, focusing on public and personal safety.

How to Legally Conduct Background Investigations: A sergeant attended a three-hour class held on May 5, 2000, at the Lincoln Library in Springfield; instructed by Attorney Jill Leka, and ISP Attorney Kevin Eack, the program was a guide on how to conduct investigations legally (discussed the privacy act and dissemination of information).

Defense Tactics Refresher (Lake Michigan Operations): Three CPOs and a PCPO, attended a four-hour refresher on May 11, 2000 (instructed by three officers; and a Captain Getz, a sergeant and four officers attended the same four-hour refresher on May 16, 2000 (instructed by two officers); both sessions were held at DesPlaines and focused upon "Red Man Practicals".

Recruit Class 00-18: The 25 members of this class graduate on July 14^th from their twelve-week DNR Basic Training Program at the ISP Academy. They will begin their four-step, four-month Field Training Officer (FTO) Program on July 17, 2000, with a two-day workshop in Springfield with their Step I FTOs. The FTO Program should conclude by mid-October.

Recruit Class 00-17: The 13 members of this class are currently in their Field Training Program, with about half the class reaching the halfway point already. The FTO Program should conclude by mid-July for most of them.