MT. CARMEL, Ill. - Bitterly cold weather did little to slow down the allegedly criminally-inclined last week in Mt. Carmel…although judging by some of the arrestees, it might’ve been a case of utilizing the deep-freeze temps to carry out their proclivities.
The day before the cold hit (Monday, January 28), Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brian M. Potter, 27 of Mt. Carmel, after a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to show for a court appearance. Potter was spotted walking in the area of 10th and Cedar Street and placed under arrest; he was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of $300.00 cash bond.
That same day, Mt. Carmel Police responded to the 1100 block of Market Street reference a domestic where the victim claimed to have been hit by a baseball bat. Police arrived on scene and arrested Sierra A. Fortner, 19, who was accused of hitting the victim with a mini-baseball bat and resisting arrest. Police transported Fortner to the Wabash County Jail and charged her with domestic battery, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest. Fortner was held pending the posting of bond.
On Wednesday, Jan. 30 - the coldest of the cold days with temps dipping below zero - Mt. Carmel Police arrested John A. Slunder, 20 of Bellmont. after police stopped the vehicle he was driving in the 1300 block of West Ninth Street. Police received information that the vehicle was occupied by male subjects planning a robbery. During the course of the investigation, police located over 100 grams of cannabis and bb handgun in the vehicle. Slunder was taken to the Wabash County Jail and charged with possession of cannabis over 100 grams. Slunder advised at no time did he plan on committing a robbery. Slunder was held pending the posting of bond. Slunder was accompanied by three juveniles who were released without charges.
The next day, Jan. 31, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Charles W. Hunter, 31 of Mt. Carmel, after a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to show for a court appearance. Hunter called the police department about a vehicle leaving its lights on in the 900 block of Cedar. When police arrived on scene they were notified that Hunter was wanted on the warrant. Hunter was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of $300 cash bond.
On Friday, February 1, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tommy L. Askren, 37 of Mt. Carmel. Askren was arrested at his residence by Mt. Carmel Police after a warrant for his arrest was issued. Askren was wanted on a Wabash County failure to appear warrant. He was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of bond.
On Saturday, February 2, Mt. Carmel Police were informed by an off-duty deputy that Robert E. Harms, 36 of Mt. Carmel, was at the Ten Pins Bowling Alley. The deputy knew Harms was wanted on a Wabash County failure to appear warrant and contacted Mt. Carmel Police. When officers arrived on scene, Harms became combative and attempted to run from them. Harms broke through a glass door at Ten Pins and continued to run from the scene. Police apprehended Harms and transported him to the Wabash County Jail where he was served the failure to appear warrant. Harms was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, criminal damage to property, resisting a peace officer, possession of a hypodermic needle, and he was cited for cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s being held pending a bond hearing.
Also on Saturday, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Bryan C. Carrithers, 30 of Mt. Carmel, on a charge of DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol. Police arrested Carrithers after he was stopped in the 300 block of W. Ninth Street. During the traffic stop it was suspected that he was under the influence of alcohol, so he was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of bond.
Then on Sunday, Feb. 3, Rona C. Adams was cited for allowing a dog to run at large. Police received a complaint that the dog was being aggressive and was running at large in the 600 block of W. Fifth Street. Police responded and identified Adams as the owner. Adams was issued a citation and was released.