MARION, Ill. (WSIL) -- A man was arrested twice within a week and is suspected of possessing stolen vehicles in both occasions.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said on December 3, at 12:09 p.m., deputies found a stolen vehicle in the area of Skyline Drive and West Main Street.
After using surveillance, a traffic stop was later made on a vehicle at Third and Main streets in Marion, on a white 2010 Buick Enclave. The sheriff's office said the driver was Anthony Thompson and he was taken into custody.
The sheriff's office said they searched the Buick Enclave and found what they suspected as drugs which later tested positive for methamphetamine.
At this point, Thompson was taken to the Williamson County Jail and then cited by the sheriff's office for...
- Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Driving While License Suspended
The next day, Thompson was then released from the jail. The sheriff's office reported the conditions for the offense was not detainable under the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T Act).
Several days later, on December 8, 2024, at 11:14 a.m., deputies with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said they started searching for another stolen vehicle and later found it in the parking lot of Comfort Inn Hotel in Marion.
The sheriff's office said they found the driver of the vehicle as Anthony Thompson, and also said he had an outstanding arrest warrant with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Again, Thompson was then taken into custody and taken to the Williamson County Jail. The sheriff's office cited him for...
- Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle
- Violation of Conditions of Pretrial Release
- Driving While License Suspended
- Improper Use Of Evidence Of Registration
Sheriff Jeff Diederich stated, “The catch and release complexities of the SAFE-T Act continue to impede our ability to protect the community. This stands in contrast to the efforts of law enforcement and the State’s Attorney who are committed to holding those who commit criminal activity accountable.�
