On April 12th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Sundav L. Pettigrew, age 25, of Urbana. According to police reports, Pettigrew was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear for driving while license suspended. Pettigrew was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 13th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Angelica Q. Simpson, age 37, of Chicago. According to police reports, Simpson was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging her with possession of a controlled substance. Simpson was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 13th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Zachary C. Kalb, age 39, of Chebanse. According to police reports, Kalb was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with theft over $500 and driving under the influence of alcohol. Kalb was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he was later released with a notice to appear.

The Iroquois County Sheriffs Office has arrested and charged 22-year-old Jason L. Ruiz of Watseka, ll. with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the death of his one-month-old son, Jace.

On April 10, 2026, Watseka Fire and EMS were dispatched to 1631 N Blue Bell Bend Rd in rural Watseka in reference to a 3-week-old baby not breathing. The infant, later identified as Jace, was transported from the scene to Iroquois Memorial Hospital and later to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, ll. Jace was pronounced deceased on 4/13/26.

Jason Ruiz was taken into custody in Chicago, ll. on 4/16/26, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force.

The investigation remains active. Out of respect for the ongoing legal proceedings and the victim's family, no additional information will be released at this time.

The Watseka Police Department has recently received numerous reports of damage to utility trailers across the city in which the wiring is being cut and the copper wire stolen.  Additionally, it was reported to Ameren CIPS today that several utility poles in the area of N. Jefferson St. and W. North St. had the copper ground wires removed from them overnight.

If observed, the police department reminds you to please call 911 and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Jenna Strouble, the St. John, Indiana, woman who is accused of the March shooting deaths of her boyfriend, Jacob Lambert, and his mother and stepfather, Stacy and Patrick Forde, pleaded not guilty Friday in a Will County courtroom.

Strouble has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder in the March 23 killings of the Crete Township family, which prosecutors say she had “no real motive for other than a general dislike for them.”

Lambert was the father of Strouble’s two children, aged 4 and 3, and she expressed “frustration” both with how he communicated with her and how he talked to the children, according to prosecutors.

Lambert allegedly confessed to the shootings to Will County sheriff’s police, according to prosecutors.

Lambert’s body was found lying face down on the passenger seat of a car parked outside his family’s house with a gunshot wound to the head when police conducted a wellness check at the residence, sheriff’s police said.

Police reported that Patrick Forde was found near the front door of the home with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Stacy Forde was found behind her husband on the stairs, also with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso, sheriff’s police said.

About 2 a.m. on March 23, sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident on Norway Trail in Crete Township.

Strouble’s sister reported receiving a call from Strouble, who told her she had shot Lambert and his parents, according to prosecutors.

Officers on March 24 found Strouble in her St. John, Indiana, residence, and she handed them a bag containing a loaded Glock 19 handgun fitted with a suppressor, according to prosecutors.

In court on Friday, Strouble’s attorney, David Drwencke, waived a hearing of the indictment against his client and entered a plea of not guilty, while Strouble stood silently in handcuffs at his side.

Strouble did not address Judge Amy Christiansen directly.

The next pre-trial hearing is slated for April 20.

Initial discovery for the prosecution is due on April 24, with initial discovery for the defense expected by May 8.

On April 5th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Amanda L. Cunningham, age 39, of Kentland IN. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Lincoln and Hamilton in Iroquois on a vehicle being driven by Cunningham for traffic violations. Cunningham was taken in to custody and charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and methamphetamine possession less than 5 grams. Cunningham was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on a notice to appear.

On April 5th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Corey A. Renwick, age 23, of Momence. According to police reports, Renwick was wanted on several Kankakee County warrants, charging him with unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, and four counts of driving while license revoked. Deputies located Renwick in the 300 block of north second street where he was taken into custody. Renwick was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released to Kankakee County.

On April 7th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Noel L. Swartz, age 30, of Gilman. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Swartz for traffic violations in rural Milford. During the duration of the stop, Swartz showed signs of impairment. Swartz was taken into custody and charged with driving while under the influence of drugs or combination of drugs. Swartz was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on a notice to appear.

On April 7th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Jose A. Andrade, age 35, of Onarga. According to police reports, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Andrade in the 100 block of north second street. Andrade was taken into custody and charged with driving while license revoked. Andrade was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released on a notice to appear.

The Bradley Police Department requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 to investigate an officer involved shooting.

On April 8, 2026, at approximately 12:46 p.m., Bradley Police Department officers responded to a well-being check in the 600 block of Jonette Avenue in Bradley. ? The officers encountered a male armed with a bladed weapon. ? The suspect reportedly disobeyed officers’ orders to stop and continued to advance on the officers, at which time the officers discharged their weapons striking the suspect. ? The officers rendered aid until EMS arrived on scene. ? The suspect was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. No officers were injured. ? ?

ISP Special Agents will complete a thorough, timely, and independent investigation, and once complete, the case will be turned over to the Kankakee County State’s Attorney for review. ? The investigation is active and ongoing, and no additional information is available at this time. 

On March 23, at 3:35 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of S 3rd Street/W Walnut Street for a disturbance. According to reports, Wood, Brandon J., 42 of Watseka, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Assault. Wood was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On March 31, at 8:13 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 300 block of E Elm Street for a disturbance. According to reports, Gillespie, Kyle J., 32 of Watseka was arrested for Aggravated Domestic Battery and Resisting Arrest. Perez-Gutierrez, Bobbie J., 38 of Watseka was also arrested for Assault. Gillespie and Perez-Gutierrez were both transported separately to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 4:44 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 200 block of E Fairman Avenue for a disturbance. Frye, Katelynn M., 32 of Watseka, was arrested for an outstanding Iroquois County Warrant. Frye was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 2:33 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of W Walnut Street for a trespasser. Barrone, Barry D., 38 of Watseka, was arrested for Criminal Trespass to Property. Barrone was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 4:18 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 800 block of E Walnut Street for a fight in progress. According to reports, Tucker, Christopher M., 43 of Watseka, was arrested for Aggravated Battery and Disorderly Conduct. Tucker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 6:22 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 100 block of W Oak Street for a male subject trying to fight people. According to reports officers located the suspect in the alley near the 200 block of S 2nd Street. Baker, David L., 44 of Watseka, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. Baker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 5, at 8:51 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 400 block of N 8th Street for a domestic. According to reports, Chavez, Eduardo J., 33 of Watseka, was arrested for Domestic Battery. Additionally, Torres, Erica G., 43 of Watseka, was arrested for an outstanding Kankakee County Warrant. Both subjects were transported separately to the Iroquois County Jail.