West Frankfort man arrested in Christopher home invasion case

CHRISTOPHER, Ill., (KBSI) — Police arrested a suspect in a home invasion Sunday after a brief search.

Richard M. Espinoza, 33, of West Frankfort, was taken into custody without incident after a Zeigler Police Department officer found him matching a description of the suspect’s clothing just a few blocks away from the scene.

Espinoza had earlier encounters with Christopher police and admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine and alcohol. However, due to the Illinois SAFE-T Act, he was released.

Espinoza was charged with criminal trespass to real property, a Class B misdemeanor, and was transported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Christopher Police Department thanked the Zeigler Police Department and the Sesser Police Department for their assistance in the arrest.