CHESTER, Ill. – Randolph County Sheriff Jarrod Peters has announced the arrest of a Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois man in connection with a theft at the Fred Weber Inc. Rock Quarry on Bluff Road.
On Friday, January 27th, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year- old John Christopher Jones for theft over $10,000.
Deputies were called to the quarry during the early morning hours of January 24th, 2023, for a report of a theft in progress.
The individual was gone by the time deputies arrived. Representatives with the quarry identified a large amount of copper wiring stolen from the conveyor equipment at the facility, a monetary loss at the time estimated in the thousands.
This loss was later estimated in excess of $35,000.00 (material, damage, and repair).
Investigators were able to quickly identify Jones as a possible suspect who was believed to reside at a location near Bluff Road in rural Monroe County, Illinois. Jones fled the area as deputies arrived. Investigators executed a search warrant later that day at this location and recovered a large quantity of copper wire connected to the quarry theft.
Sheriff Deputies encountered another male subject on the property, who identified himself as a resident.
This subject was identified as 49-year-old Eric F. Roberts, a convicted felon, who was found to be in possession of a firearm.
Roberts was arrested and turned over to Monroe County Deputies. At this time Roberts is in custody at the Monroe County Jail, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon with a $30,000.00 bond.
On January 27th, 2023, Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputies coordinated with Monroe County Deputies to locate and arrest John Christopher Jones. As a result, Jones was arrested later that day near Renault, Illinois. Jones was transported directly to the Randolph County Jail and is being held on a $100,000.00 bond.
Sheriff Peters is urging anyone with information concerning this case or any related case to contact his Detective Division at 618-826-5484 to speak with telecommunications or a message can be left at extension 507.
“I would like to thank our law enforcement partners to the north at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation. I would also like to thank my staff for their dedication to working this case so efficiently and effectively. Our Investigators and Deputies each played an integral role in this case, from examining and processing the crime scene, to search warrant execution, to Jones’ eventual arrest. I consider us lucky to have such a dedicated group of deputies working for Randolph County.” Sheriff Peters said.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.