The Taylorville Police Department reported the following to Regional Radio News;

1/10/26

Melissa L. Christer, age 43, of Pana Illinois, was arrested for Retail Theft.

1/11/26

Ted A. Burkhardt, age 52, of Owaneco Illinois, was arrested for Criminal Damage to Property.

Emmanuel K. Risasi, age 28, of Chicago Illinois, was arrested for Driving While Registration Suspeded.

1/14/26

Michael L. Durbin, age 25, of Taylorville, was arrested for Failure to Update Sex Offender Registry.

1/21/26

Trevor O. Lebon, age 20, of Pana Illinois, was arrested for Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver.

The Taylorville Police Department Investigated the following crashes:  

On January 1st at W. Pauline Street in Taylorville, Skyler W. Brownlee of Illiopolis  was entering the driving lane from a previously parked position on the north side of the road, when it struck the front passenger side of Karen S. Mahan of Taylorville as Mahan drove by. Mahan was on the correct side of the road and was proceeding straight ahead, when it was struck by Brownlee's front drivers side bumper. Brownlee's drivers bumper damaged the entire passenger side of Mahan's vehicle. Brownlee admitted he hadn't seen Mahan, due to not checking before entering the roadway. Brownlee was issued a citation for no valid insurance, as he was unable to provide proof at the time of the accident.  No injuries were reported.

On January 13th at 5:12 PM, Chad E Clark of Taylorville was heading North on Cheney Street when Robert M. Burdzilauskas of Pana made a left turn to go into Arby's parking lot. Burdzilauskas failed to yield to the right-of-way traffic before making the left turn.  No injuries were reported. 

On January 16th at 8:33 AM, Brayden L. Copeland of Taylorville was traveling southbound on N Cheney St. towards W Park Ave. Brian D. Richards of Taylorville was stopped at a stop sign on W Park Ave. at the intersection with N. Cheney St., facing east. Copeland attempted to turn westbound onto W Park Ave. and slid in the snow, causing the front drivers side bumper of his vehicle to strike the middle drivers side of Richards vehicle.  No injuries were reported. 

Editors note:  No birthdate was listed for driver 1, therefore we have not listed their name)

On January 17th, 2026 at approximately 10:28 A.M. As Heather D. Harrison of Taylorville was approaching the parking lot while traveling southbound on Cheney St., A driver proceeded to turn Southbound onto Cheney St. from the parking lot and collided with the passenger side of Harrison's vehicle causing minor damage. Both vehicles moved out of the roadway into the Casey's parking lot allowing traffic to freely flow. While checking the information of both vehicles through dispatch, it was revealed that Harrison had expired registration and also a suspended license. Both drivers recieved Motor Vehicle Accident Information forms and Harrison recieved one citation for the suspended license and a verbal warning for the expired registration.