Burglary suspect arrested in $19,000 theft from Illinois Water District

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — A southern Illinois man has been arrested in connection with a burglary that resulted in more than $19,000 in losses from the Lake of Egypt Water District, authorities said.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the water district Aug. 19 after brass fittings were reported stolen. Later that day, several of the stolen items were recovered in a wooded area near the property.

On Aug. 21, investigators captured images of a man returning to the property to collect the stolen materials. The suspect was identified as Shawn D. Quertermous.

A Williamson County judge issued a nationwide arrest warrant Sept. 3 charging Quertermous with burglary, a Class 2 felony. He was taken into custody Sept. 11 by deputies and booked into the Williamson County Jail.

Sheriff Jeff Diederich praised investigators for their persistence, saying crimes against critical infrastructure “have a direct impact on the safety and quality of life for our citizens.”