Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- UPDATE: On November 1, 2019 at approximately 5:22 P.M., a fourth suspect sought in connection with a home invasion that occurred October 29, 2019 in the 1200th block of N. Merchant turned himself into Effingham Police Officers. Austin M. Phelps, 20, Montrose, was taken into custody on a single count of Home Invasion, a class X Felony which carries a sentence of 6-30 years in prison if convicted.
Phelps was released from custody on November 4, 2019 after posting $5,000 cash bond.
For full details of the incident, please see the original press release below.
Austin M. Phelps
– Home Invasion, Class X Felony
Zion Mace, Caillou Repp and Noah Rebollo remain in custody at the Effingham County Jail. Mace and Repp’s bonds have been set at $5,000 cash each; Rebollo’s bond has been set at $20,000 cash.
November 1, 2019 Original News Release: Home Invasion Yields Three Arrests
Three people from Effingham have been arrested and a fourth suspect sought in connection with a home invasion which occurred October 29, 2019 in the 1200th block of N. Merchant. At approximately 3:08 A.M. Effingham Police responded to a report of a disturbance which involved possible weapons. Upon arrival, Officers discovered that multiple unknown subjects had just forced their way into an apartment, stolen items, threatened residents at the apartment, damaged a vehicle and then left the area. Officers canvassed the surrounding area but were unable to immediately locate any suspects. During the ensuing investigation, four suspects were identified and three were subsequently interviewed on October 30, 2019 after which they were taken into custody and booked into the Effingham County Jail on the following charges:
Zion E. Mace, 18, Effingham
– Home Invasion, Class X Felony
– Criminal Damage to Property, Class A Misdemeanor
Caillou R. Repp, 18, Effingham
– Home Invasion, Class X Felony
Noah A. Rebollo, 20, Effingham
– Home Invasion, Class X Felony
A Class X Felony for Home Invasion carries a sentence of 6-30 years in prison if convicted. All three remain in custody and will have a hearing today, Friday, November 1, 2019, to set bond. Effingham Police are seeking a warrant through the Effingham County State’s Attorney for the fourth suspect.
Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland stated this was an isolated case. “Our investigation has determined that this was not a random crime – the suspects allegedly targeted this residence in retaliation because of a prior dispute. As such, we believe there is no further threat to other members of the general public stemming from this, and no one was injured during this incident.” Chief McFarland went on to praise the fast response from all Law Enforcement Agencies. “This is a great example of the teamwork amongst Law Enforcement in our County. When an Agency is dispatched to a serious threat such as this, all available Officers, Deputies and Troopers respond to aid those in need. In this instance, Effingham City Officers and Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and were in the area within moments of being dispatched. This cooperation between departments is essential and helps provide safety to our community.”
If you see it, say it! The Effingham Police Department encourages you to call the Police Department immediately at 217-347-0774 to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood or business district. Information can be given anonymously by calling the CRIME STOPPERS Tip Line at 217-347-6583. Anonymous callers can receive up to $1,000 cash rewards.
