The Weekly Post public record for 3-2-23

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Farmington man faces fraudulent check charges
• FARMINGTON – A Farmington man faces a Fulton County Circuit Court hearing after he was accused of cashing $4,850 in fraudulent checks at a local bank office.
Clinton J. Shaffer, 46, was charged with deceptive practices, according to the Farmington Police Department. He is to appear in court at 9 a.m. March 15 in Lewistown, per the Fulton County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Shaffer submitted nine checks between Dec. 16-27 to the Farmington branch of the Bank of Yates City, according to a Yates City Police Department report. Amounts ranged from $300 to $900.
The bank processed eight checks, but not one for $700 dated Dec. 23. That’s when bank employees discovered a problem. The checks were from a credit union in Louisiana.
Shaffer has a lengthy criminal history of theft, fraud and burglary, the Yates City police report stated.
A Farmington police officer attempted to contact Shaffer at his residence but was rebuffed. According to a Farmington police report, Shaffer also has been uncooperative with other authorities. The officer notified a Shaffer relative about the charges and court date.
The relative also made restitution, including fees. On Feb. 15, the relative submitted a $4,866.99 check to the Bank of Yates City, according to Farmington police.
Fulton County authorities took over the case from Knox County counterparts after it was determined Shaffer cashed the checks in Farmington.
Police reports
• ELMWOOD – The Elmwood Police Department is warning about a scam that involves someone purportedly using its telephone number to call residents.
A woman reported she was telephoned and told if someone at that address didn’t turn in themselves to the police, an arrest warrant would be issued. The problem could be avoided with an over-the-phone payment, the caller was told.
“No one should ever call you to turn yourself in or pay over the phone for any violation,” Elmwood Police Officer Mike Darrah said.
The non-emergency Elmwood police phone number is (309) 742-7121.
• MONICA – A family evacuated its residence north of Monica after a pickup truck parked next to it caught fire. The incident happened about 2:45 a.m. Feb. 24 in the 14200 block of W. County Line Rd.
A woman at the residence had trouble sleeping and noticed an orange glow outside her bedroom window, a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated. When she looked out the window, she saw the bed of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was on fire.
The woman awakened her husband and children, and they all fled. The husband said the vehicle was his work truck. He also said there was a diesel tank in the truck bed, but he wasn’t sure what caused the fire.
Akron-Princeville and Wyoming firefighters doused the flames. The only part of the truck not damaged was a small section of the hood and bumper on the front passenger’s side, according to the report. No injuries were reported.
• FARMINGTON – A Farmington man was accused of domestic battery following an argument with his girlfriend. Carter E. Downard, 47, was arrested and transported to the Fulton County Jail in Lewistown following the incident. The 35-year-old victim summoned Farmington police about 5:45 p.m. Feb. 16 to a residence in the 100 block of W. Pearl St.
Accounts differ regarding what happened, but the victim sustained a broken fingernail on her right hand, according to a police report.
• PEORIA – A Hanna City man was accused of instigating a two-vehicle hit-and-run accident.
About 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Sandra M. Schafer of Peoria was driving a westbound 2009 Land Rover LR2 in the 5000 block of Illinois Route 8 when she slowed and signaled a turn into her driveway. Her vehicle then was struck from behind by a 2004 Chevrolet Express driven by Todd E. Werenburg.
Schafer’s boyfriend stopped Werenburg as he attempted to leave, a Peoria County Sheriff’s Office report stated. He provided his insurance information, then departed quickly. The Land Rover sustained a broken rear plastic light cover and broken back-up sensor, among other damage. Schafer was uninjured.
A deputy attempted to speak with Werenburg, to no avail.
• FARMINGTON – A report about a reckless motorist resulted in a Hanna City man being cited for driving with a revoked license.
Farmington police stopped Cody L. Larson, 35, shortly after 8 a.m. Feb. 8 on South Main Street while he was driving a 2009 black Volkswagen van. Earlier, someone called police to complain about a man driving a northbound Volkswagen van on Illinois Route 78 south of Farmington.
The caller said the van driver was swerving all over the road, following too closely and making obscene finger gestures, according to a police report. A license-plate search revealed Larson’s driving status. Larson admitted to police he did not have a license, per the report.
Larson was given a notice to appear at 9 a.m. March 10 in Fulton County Circuit Court.
• EDWARDS – Jeremy M. Garretts, 47, of Edwards was arrested about 6:15 p.m. Feb. 26 and accused of armed violence, unlawful possession of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful delivery/possession with intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
• PRINCEVILLE – Tara R. McClelland, 27, of Princeville was arrested about 8 p.m. Feb. 25 and accused of domestic battery/physical contact and criminal damage to property/less than $500, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
• FARMINGTON – Police arrested Christopher L. Wheeler, 40, of Farmington about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Circle K, 1006 E. Fort St., on a Fulton County warrant for failure to appear in court. Wheeler had been accused of attempting to disarm a police officer.
Wheeler was released on $180 bond and fees and was given a notice to appear at 9 a.m. March 29 in Fulton County Circuit Court.
Marriage license
• Alaina Sheridan Graham of Edwards and Creighton Michael Schock of Chillicothe.