Tuesday was one of the most active days in recent memory for first responders.
Just after 3 p.m., Clinton Police responded to the Clinton Circle K gas station/convenient store for the report of vehicle theft. Initial responding officers were able to ascertain a vehicle and suspect description and last known direction of travel. Neighboring law enforcement agencies were summoned to assist in attempting to locate the suspect vehicle as it fled south from Clinton. Maroa Police were able to locate the suspect vehicle traveling south on US Highway 51 and effect a traffic stop on US Highway 51 near Forsyth Road where the suspect was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was identified as Raijuan L. Shelton, 20, Decatur, IL. Shelton was later transported to the Dewitt County Jail and turned over to corrections personnel for processing on the charge of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.
Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that the victim had advertised the vehicle for sale on a publicly accessible social media website. The alleged suspect answered the ad as an interested prospective buyer and arranged to meet for a test drive. During the test drive, the suspect stopped at the Circle K gas station and when the suspect and victim exited the vehicle, the suspect returned into the vehicle and fled the scene. No one was injured during the incident.
The Clinton Police Department reminds individuals that while online advertising and sales of property have become extremely popular and common, one should exercise extreme caution when communicating with, meeting with, and engaging in business with strangers.
The Clinton Police Department wishes to thank the Maroa Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Department for the assistance in the quick response and swift resolution of this investigation.
First responders were called to a destructive fire at the Clinton Assembly of God Church in Clinton Tuesday morning and there was also a DUI accident in Clinton.
Clinton Police remind the public, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
