A Nokomis man is behind bars on a slew of charges including attempted murder after an incident that took place on Thursday evening. 57-year-old Barry E. Spears of Nokomis was taken into custody on Thursday after a 9-1-1 call was made concerning a domestic disturbance that occurred at 22204 East 20th Road, approximately 2 miles northwest of Nokomis. The caller, a 40-year-old female victim, reported that she had been battered by her boyfriend and that Spears also damaged the victim’s vehicle with a baseball bat.

According to the press release, once Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived they attempted to locate both parties. After the deputy parked his vehicle, he exited to access his trunk, Spears drove a concrete mixing truck in the direction of the deputy crashing it into the patrol car. The Deputy was able to avoid being hit. Spears then exited the truck and entered the residence despite the Deputy telling him to stop. 

Spears refused to exit the residence and soon smoke was seen coming from the house. Police say Spears intentionally started a fire inside his residence. After Spears was continued to ask to leave the residence, deputies spoke to him through a window and were finally able to convince him to exit the residence. Spears still resisted arrest after leaving the residence and was finally apprehended by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s K-9 Flex and other deputies. 

Firefighters were able to put out the fire, but it did cause heavy damage to the residence. Spears was taken to the Montgomery County Jail, where he is being held on a charge of attempted murder from trying to drive the concrete mixer truck at the Deputy. Spears is also pending charges of domestic battery, criminal damage to government property, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Multiple agencies assisted in the incident including Nokomis Police Department, Illinois State Police, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Conservation Police, Litchfield Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office. The Nokomis, Witt, Harvel, Fillmore, Morrisonville, Pana, Coffeen, and Stonington Fire Departments all responded to the fire and the Nokomis-Witt, Raymond-Harvel, Montgomery County EMA, and Montgomery County Animal Control all responded to the scene.

Probable Cause was found in the case by Judge Jim Roberts and Spears bond was set at $300,000 with 10% to apply.