PALESTINE, Ill. - People who can't seem to keep their domestic issues at home always make for an interesting news piece, but add in some illicit paraphernalia, and it gets all the more interesting.
What happened in Palestine in east Crawford County earlier today is an example of that.
Chief Besing patrolled the area and located both vehicles traveling westbound on W. LaMotte Street and then turned northbound on Bryant Street.
Chief Besing initiated a vehicle stop on a red Chevy S-10 truck which was occupied by the male suspect, identified as Michael W. Stephens, 35 of Palestine. The driver was identified as Thomas A. Whitt, 54 of Palestine.
Crawford County Deputy Lucas Wallace was also enroute to assist and made contact with the female victim identified as Tracie Rudd/Stephens.
A consent to search of the vehicle by Crawford County Deputy Michael Delaney who was assisting Chief Besing resulted in finding two hypodermic syringes in the glove box compartment of the truck.
Both Thomas Whitt and Michael Stephens were issued ordinance citations for Unlawful Possession of Hypodermic Needles/Syringes by Chief Besing with mandatory court dates.