Highland area police briefs for July 13-26

Editor’s note: The following incidents were listed among the official reports of local law enforcement agencies and court clerks. Readers are reminded that an arrest or charge does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination.

Investigators unsure of what caused Aviston man’s fatal crash

No clues were found in the vehicle of a 62-year-old Aviston man to help investigators determine what caused him to crash into a creek, Clinton County Coroner Phillip Moss said.

Moss said that authorities had found Gerald Richter’s body on July 20 inside his SUV submerged in Brewster Creek off Boulder Road, just east of Carlyle Lake. Moss said a passerby noticed damage to the guard rail of the Brewster Creek Bridge, wheel tracks leading away from the road and an oil sheen in the creek. Searchers found Richter’s Ford Explorer in 12 feet of water.

Moss said Richter had no serious medical issues and no autopsy was performed.

“It appears he overcorrected,” Moss said, adding that it would be difficult to determine what led to the crash because the incident “was unwitnessed.”

Richter was headed to his lake house when family members last saw him on July 16. When he didn’t return home after a couple days and didn’t answer calls, he was reported missing to Aviston police July 18.

A memorial Mass was held on July 24 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston. Moss Funeral Home in Breese was in charge of arrangements.

HPD misdemeanor warrant arrests

▪ Tanishia A. Simms, 30, of Belleville was arrested on July 24 on a warrant from St. Clair County for failure to appear in court on a charge of having an expired vehicle registration. Highland police additionally charged Simms with driving while having a suspended/revoked license, having an expired vehicle registration and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle. She was turned over to St. Clair County authorities.

▪ Russel W. Hallemann, 53, of Sorento was arrested on July 26 on a warrant from Bond County on a contempt of court charge. He posed bond.

▪ Christopher R. Gresham, 33, of Highland was arrested on July 26 on a Madison County warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of driving under the influence. He was taken to jail.

HPD misdemeanor warrant arrests

▪ Thomas E. Tanner, 63, of Highland was arrested on July 17 on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a DUI charge.

▪ Nathan C. Schuster, 21, of Pierron was arrested on July 19 on a warrant from Bond County for failure to pay a court fine.

▪ Steven M. Madden, 18, of Collinsville was arrested on July 19 on a warrant for probation violation.

HPD misdemeanor citations, tickets

July 13

▪ No tickets issued.

July 14

▪ Cameron S. Johnson, 21, of Pocahontas was charged with driving while having a suspended/revoked license.

July 15

▪ No tickets issued.

July 16

▪ A juvenile, 16, of Highland was charged with unlawful on consumption of alcohol by a minor.

July 17

▪ Michael G. Davis, 39, of St Louis, Mo., was charged with having an expired vehicle registration.

July 18

▪ Andrew S. Panyik, 24, of Wood River was charged with driving while having a suspended/revoked license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.

▪ Zachary T. Carter, 23, of Centralia was charged with having an expired vehicle registration.

▪ Jessica R. Sanftleben, 37, of Maryland Heights, Mo., was charged with having an expired vehicle registration.

July 19

▪ Deanna K. Bert, 33, of Red Bud was charged with having an expired vehicle registration and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.

July 20

▪ Jamie M. Blaylock, 29, of Highland was charged with retail theft for allegedly taking a Coach handbag valued at $90.

July 21

▪ Two juveniles, one 16 and the other 17 years old, both from Highland, were charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor and disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting in public. The 16-year-old was also charged with battery. The 17-year-old was charge with possession of tobacco by a minor.

▪ A juvenile, 17, of Highland was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

July 22

▪ Percy J. Wilkinson, 33, of Highland was charged with having an expired vehicle registration, driving while having a suspended/revoked license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.

July 23

▪ Paul R. Capelle, 50, of Highland was charged with having an expired vehicle registration.

▪ Tammy L. Fowler, 45, of Highland was charged with having an expired vehicle registration, driving without a valid license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.

▪ Roman B. Korte, 82, of Pocahontas was charged with having an expired vehicle registration.

July 24-26

▪ 

No tickets issued.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 4:32 AM with the headline "Highland area police briefs for July 13-26."