Hancock County Sheriff's Office

02/05/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – HANCOCK COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office wants to make the public aware of an increase in a fraud/theft scheme known as “Check Washing.”

🧾 What is Check Washing?
Criminals steal checks from unsecured mailboxes, then use chemicals to erase the original ink. They change the payee name and often increase the amount, turning your check into a costly loss.

🔐 How to protect yourself:
✅ Use indelible gel ink pens with pigment-based ink
✅ Fill out checks completely — no blank spaces (draw a line through unused areas)
✅ Mail checks inside the Post Office or a USPS blue box, preferably just before last pickup
✅ Regularly review your bank accounts and statements
✅ Pay bills online when possible
✅ Shred old or canceled checks and unused checkbooks

📞 If you are a victim:
1️⃣ Contact your bank immediately
2️⃣ File a report with law enforcement
3️⃣ Report the theft to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Please share this post to help protect friends, family, and neighbors. Staying informed is the best defense. 💙👮‍♂️

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01/06/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – HANCOCK COUNTY RESIDENTS 🚨

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of an active door-to-door paving scam targeting homeowners, particularly elderly citizens.

⚠️ What’s Happening:
Individuals claiming to represent an asphalt company from Missouri are going door-to-door offering to chip and oil or resurface driveways. They often state they have “extra material left over from another job” and pressure homeowners to make an immediate decision.

After performing poor-quality or incomplete work, the individuals then present the homeowner with an unexpected and highly inflated invoice, sometimes demanding immediate payment.

❗ Common Warning Signs:
• High-pressure, on-the-spot offers
• No written contract or unclear paperwork
• Claims of “leftover materials”
• Out-of-state vehicles or companies
• Poor workmanship followed by excessive billing

✅ What You Should Do:
• Do not agree to unsolicited driveway work
• Do not allow unknown contractors onto your property
• Always request written estimates and verify local licensing
• Report suspicious activity immediately

📞 To report suspicious activity or if you believe you have been targeted, contact the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 217-357-2115.

Please help protect our community by sharing this alert, especially with elderly family members, friends, and neighbors.

🔒 Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe.

Send a message to learn more

12/25/2025

11/12/2025

🚨 Theft Investigation 🚨

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft that occurred near 1150 N County Road 760 Warsaw.

A skid steer had the paneling and hood, a fire extinguisher, and a radio antenna stolen off of it.

The owner has stated that no charges will be filed if the items are returned immediately.

Additionally, the owner is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for any information that leads to the recovery of the stolen property.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 217-357-2115, referencing Case #25-5266.

As always, information can be shared anonymously.

Thank you for your assistance.

11/09/2025

We have received and looked into a report of a sow and piglet loose near Elvaston.

They are black with some white on them.
They have tucked into the tree line along the tracks just east of Elvaston.

If these could be your animals please contact us and attempt to get them back where they belong.

The pigs were not near the highway but we caution motorists to be on the lookout just in case they continue southbound. Again, they are dark colored and would be more difficult to see at night.

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11/03/2025

🚨 Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect in Custody 🚨

On October 29, 2025, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to Carson Motors in Carthage regarding a report of a stolen red 2023 Ford Bronco. The vehicle was taken overnight from the dealership.

Through investigation, deputies identified Taeler Q. Stovall (19) as the suspect. The stolen Bronco was located within several hours in Des Moines, Iowa, where Stovall was taken into custody by local authorities.

Stovall faces multiple charges in Iowa, including Theft in the First Degree and Felony Fleeing and Eluding. Illinois charges are pending. The vehicle was recovered with no significant damage.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Des Moines Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

—
Hancock County Sheriff’s Office

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10/01/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
Fatal Head-On Crash on State Highway 94 Near Carthage
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports that at approximately 2:17 PM on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, emergency personnel responded to a head-on collision involving a semi-truck and a passenger car on State Highway 94 just north of the Burnside Corner near Carthage.
One driver was transported to Carthage Memorial Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The other driver was also transported to Carthage Memorial Hospital with moderate injuries.
The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. No further details are being released at this time pending notification of family.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.

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10/01/2025

Highway 94 is back OPEN for traffic

Thank you for rerouting

09/30/2025

‼️🚨

Highway 94 north of Carthage at the Burnside blacktop (2100N) to the Adrian blacktop (2200N ) is CLOSED.

Emergency crews are working a traffic crash in that area. Find alternate routes please!

‼️🚨

09/18/2025

The Carthage 7th and 8th grade girls are State Bound !!!!!! Best of luck girls!!!

09/04/2025

September 4, 2025

Sheriff Travis Duffy and Chief Derek Himan report a joint investigation which led to an arrest of a 69-year-old Lomax, IL man for Stalking.

On September 2, 2025, Carthage Police Department officers were sent to Illini West High School after a report was made to them in reference to the school receiving several inappropriate voicemails over the holiday weekend.

These voicemails and further information obtained from complainants led to the arrest of Jeffrey D. Vaughn (69, of Lomax, IL) on charges of Stalking.

The investigation revealed that Vaughn had engaged in a course of conduct showing he was stalking an Illini West student.

Vaughn was arrested at his home in Lomax by Carthage Police Department. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation and the arrest. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

Vaughn was transported to the Hancock County Jail where he remains lodged pending an initial court appearance. Under the Safe-T Act, Stalking is a detainable offense, and further detention will be determined by the court

07/24/2025

🚨 Hancock County Sheriff's Office Reports Arrest Following Threats Toward First Responders

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Kevin C. Taylor following a dangerous incident during a water rescue operation near Warsaw on the evening of July 23, 2025.

At approximately 8:30 PM, fire and EMS personnel responded to a report of two individuals in the Mississippi River near Spring Island.

During the response, Taylor made verbal threats toward emergency personnel and law enforcement.

He later drove a vehicle at high speed toward firefighters at the Warsaw boat harbor, forcing them to move out of the way to avoid being struck. He fled the area but was quickly taken into custody by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from other responding agencies.

He was transported to the Hancock County Jail. No injuries were reported. The individual initially reported in the river was located alive and is expected to recover.

The incident remains under investigation.

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