Sheriff’s Police arrest pair for attempted robbery in Downs

Mobil
The McLean County Sheriff’s Police released this photo after the January 20 attempted armed robbery at the Mobil Station in Downs (Photo McLean County Sheriff’s office Facebook Page)

 

By Howard Packowitz

DOWNS – Two people are under arrest for an attempted armed robbery that happened almost three weeks ago in Downs.

McLean County Sheriff’s Deputies said late Friday night they took into custody Joseph Mathews,20, of Normal and a teenager, 17, who faces juvenile charges.

The attempted hold-up was at the Mobil gas station in Downs on the night of January 20 when a man with a gun demanded money, but drove off in a white Ford Explorer without taking any cash or other items.

In a news release, the sheriff’s department revealed a chase of the getaway vehicle was called off that night because of dangerous road conditions.

Late Tuesday night, police said officers located the vehicle and made the arrests after further investigation.

Investigators said other arrests are possible. Anyone with information is asked to call McLean County Sheriff’s Police Detective Evan Henkel at 309-888-5049.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…