WABASH CO.—Aside from Danny McNew’s antics at the beginning of the month of November (see related story), the rest of it has been a slow mover for criminal activity.
Getting physical
On Nov. 3, Christopher J. Perry was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery, a Class 4 felony. Perry, 28, of Mt. Carmel, was arrested after he was alleged to have made physical contact of an insulting nature to his girlfriend, Shannon R. Risley, 35, of Mt. Carmel, when he grabbed her by the arm. Perry had been previously convicted of a similar violation.
On Nov. 4, Jeramy A. Moore, 32, of Mt. Carmel, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery, a Class 2 felony. Moore’s arrest came after he was alleged to have caused bodily harm to his girlfriend, Jessica L. Bilotta, 24, of Mt. Carmel, when, authorities say, he strangled her by applying pressure to her neck and intentionally impeded her normal breathing.
On Nov. 6, Wabash County authorities arrested and charged Melanie J. Moore with two counts of Aggravated Battery, both Class 2 felonies. Moore was arrested after she was alleged to have committed a battery when she struck Sgt. Clarence E. Johnson in the chest, knowing Sgt. Johnson to be a peace officer engaged in the execution of his official duties. A second offense occurred when Moore kicked Officer Erin Peach, knowing Peach to be a peace officer engaged in the execution of her official duties.
The big manhunt that ended in Friendsville
On Nov. 16, Wabash County Sheriff’s Department and the Mt. Carmel Police were looking for two black males who were suspected of stealing money from the Allendale CJ’s Convenient Store, as well as a vehicle from a residence in Mt. Carmel.
The action began after vehicle was stopped by a Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy on Cherry Street, following the report of theft of money from CJ’s and a description of the two suspected robbers.
The driver of that vehicle was identified as Terrell H. Hooks of Evansville, Indiana. A witness informed the police a passenger was let out of the vehicle in the area of Bona Terra Drive.
During the search for the second suspect, Mt. Carmel Police received a complaint of a stolen vehicle (a 2007 red Honda Fit) from 234 Miskell Drive in Mt. Carmel. While investigating that complaint, police were informed the stolen vehicle was found on East 1100 road. A search of the area was conducted but with negative results.
During the course of the investigation the second suspect was identified as Ormando K. Tapp, 38, of Evansville, Indiana. Tapp was reached on a cell phone and convinced to turn himself in. Tapp was taken into custody at 10:57 p.m. in the area of Highway 11 just east of 1080 Road. The whole situation ended on the same blacktop where Disclosure journalist Jerry Panozzo lives; Panozzo had a front-row seat to the apprehension of Tapp, who was the subject of a manhunt after he fled on foot through fields outside the village of Friendsville, the Illinois State Police assisted in the search.
Tapp was charged with Possession of a Converted Vehicle, a Class 2 felony; and Burglary, a Class 2 felony.
Hooks, 38, was charged with Aiding or Concealing a Fugitive, a Class 4 felony.
Both Tapp and Hooks are currently being held in Wabash County Jail in lieu of bail.