Saline County deputies investigate four burglaries, make arrest within 48-hour span

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SALINE COUNTY, Ill. — Saline County deputies are investigating four burglaries reported within a 48-hour period last week, resulting in multiple arrests and one suspect remaining at large, authorities said.

According to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, the first burglary was reported at about 4:57 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, near the curve of McHaney Road and Liberty Road. A Saline County K-9 deputy and officers with the Harrisburg Police Department responded and cleared the residence, learning the suspect had fled. Investigators said the suspect was captured on camera.

While searching the area, officers stopped a vehicle for a moving violation and identified the driver as Robert L. Presley, who matched the suspect seen on camera and was wearing the same clothing. Police said stolen property was found inside the vehicle. Presley was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and driving while license revoked.

Later that day, at about 5:04 p.m., deputies responded to a burglary alarm south of Eldorado along Illinois Route 142. Investigators said suspects forced entry and attempted to steal a utility terrain vehicle but fled when they were unable to start it.

Deputies later located two abandoned four-wheelers on nearby coal mine property that were suspected to be stolen from the Galatia area.

At about 7:23 p.m., deputies received another report of a burglary nearby. Deputies and officers with the Eldorado Police Department responded after victims followed the suspects and relayed their location to authorities. Officers arrested Alicia R. Barton in the Parish Addition area in connection with two burglaries along Illinois Route 142. Police said another suspect, Max E. Walters, born Sept. 19, 2000, fled from officers and remains a person of interest.

The fourth burglary was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, when Saline County Central Dispatch received a call of a burglary along Illinois Route 142 south of Eldorado. A Saline County deputy and Eldorado police responded to the scene. While a deputy spoke with two persons of interest, officers reviewed surveillance footage provided by the victims that captured the burglary. Rusty E. Banks, born Dec. 22, 1985, was taken into custody on burglary and theft charges, authorities said.

Officials reminded residents to keep buildings and vehicles locked and encouraged the public to report suspicious activity. Tips may be reported anonymously to local law enforcement agencies. Authorities emphasized that all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.