Burglary suspect arrested in multi-county investigation targeting video gaming machines
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
BUCKNER, Ill., (KBSI) — A Williamson County man is in custody following a multi-agency investigation into a series of business burglaries involving damaged video gaming machines in Franklin County, authorities said.
Franklin County sheriff’s deputies responded at 4:33 a.m. Jan. 5 to a report of a burglary in progress at a business in Buckner, where they found forced entry at the front door and significant damage to several video gaming machines.
At 3:13 a.m. Jan. 6, deputies were called to a business in rural Benton for another reported burglary. Investigators determined entry was forced through a drive-thru window and that video gaming machines were damaged in a manner similar to the Buckner case. Security video helped investigators identify a suspect vehicle, which led them to a residence in West Frankfort. The vehicle’s owner reported the car had been left at a local repair shop, where investigators later found the vehicle missing along with tools and other automotive equipment.
On Jan. 9, the suspect vehicle was located in rural West Frankfort and found burned. As the investigation continued, detectives identified Joel A. Marrs, 31, of Williamson County, as a suspect. Marrs was also wanted on a Williamson County warrant for burglary.
On Jan. 12, authorities received information that Marrs was at a residence in rural West Frankfort. Deputies and detectives responded and took Marrs into custody. Brandy R. Heater, 29, also of Williamson County, was present at the residence and was arrested on a Williamson County failure-to-appear warrant for residential burglary.
Both Marrs and Heater were transported to the Franklin County Jail, where they remain held. Marrs has been formally charged with three counts of burglary, two counts of theft, one additional theft count, and criminal damage to property.
The investigation was assisted by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Carbondale Police Department, Johnston City Police Department, West Frankfort Police Department, and the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group.
Authorities noted that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
