Suspect in fatal hit-and-run tied to November home invasion in Normal

Posted on September 20, 2017

 

Bloomington Police arrested Jakeb Collins, 22, for a hit-and-run crash that left one woman dead. He’s now tied to an unrelated home invasion and armed robbery last November in Normal (Photo courtesy Bloomington Police Department)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The man accused of leaving the scene of a fatal crash in southeast Bloomington a week ago now faces charges for a home invasion and armed robbery that happened 10 months ago in Normal.

McLean County prosecutors intend to file charges Thursday against Jakeb Collins, 22, of Bloomington.

He’s the second man arrested in a case in which multiple suspects were said to have forced their way into a home in the four-hundred block of South Oak Street in Normal and demanded money.

Normal Police said at least one suspect displayed a handgun, and the intruders made off with less than two-hundred dollars.

A second suspect, Shaquar Rhone, 21, of Normal, was sentenced to 9 1/2-years in prison

Normal Police said they had been looking for Collins before his arrest last week for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash involving his maroon-colored minivan and a sport utility vehicle.

A passenger in the SUV, Phyliss Graver, 79, of Carmel, Indiana, was killed in the crash last Wednesday at Morrissey Drive and Chrisman Lane.

Bloomington Police initially arrested a 54-year old man, but prosecutors said Collins’ mother heard media reports and contacted authorities because she suspected her son was the driver who fled the scene.

Prosecutors said Collins had been driving with a license that had been suspended for underage drinking.

Collins is being held on $300,000 bond on a felony charge for leaving the crash scene.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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