CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – There’s an easier way to report crimes in Champaign County. Following nearly every crime, authorities encourage witnesses to come forward with information, but a lot of people are concerned about retaliation, and some of them aren’t sure how to report anonymous tips. WCIA created a solution for that with a new […]

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help to find a couple thieves. They’re wanted for retail theft. Police were called to Meijer in Urbana at 2500 Philo Road at 5:20 p.m. on Aug. 13. Surveillance video captured two people working together to load more than $1,000 in electronics into backpacks. They […]

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs help finding people connected to a shooting. Rantoul police say property was damaged, and they believe a suspect was shooting at another person. Police says two vehicles were hit with gunfire, and they found several shell casings at the scene. Police responded to the area of Hamilton […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is recognizing a successful month to achieve victory over violence. Board members say $10,500 will be awarded to anonymous tipsters, who came forward with information to help authorities track down wanted criminals. Crime Stoppers recently raised reward amounts for tipsters, and that has created more of an […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs help finding more information about a shooting. Two people were hit, and they’re recovering in the hospital. A 19-year-old man and a 25-year-old man are both stable after they were shot earlier this month. Police responded to the intersection of White Oak Court and N. 3rd […]

SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police need your help solving a burglary. In a news release, Sangamon County Crime Stoppers officials said Springfield Police responded to a burglary at Hardee’s that happened July 11. That restaurant is located on West Wabash. When an employee got to work, they saw the drive-thru window was open […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs help finding a man who had a gun, and then he dropped it when authorities tried questioning him about it. If you live or work in the area, authorities are asking you to check your surveillance video to help find him. He was last seen running from […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Crime Stoppers in Sangamon County needs your help to find burglars who are breaking into people’s cars. Authorities say two people had their vehicles broken into, and items were taken. Police say it happened before 1 p.m. on June 22 in the 100 block of South Chatham Road in Springfield. Police […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in locating the person who committed an armed robbery last month. The robbery happened at Slim Chickens located off of Neil Street in Champaign around 10 p.m. on June 12th. Officials state the suspect entered the business armed with a gun, […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying three people whom authorities believe stole more than $3,000 worth of jewelry last month. The theft happened on May 14 at approximately 6:15 p.m. A man and two juveniles, all male, walked into the Zales at Market Place Mall […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in solving an shooting that left two people hurt last month. One of those victims was just five years old at the time. Kamryn Riley was only a few days away from his sixth birthday when bullets flew into his home […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — This week Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a shooting. On May 11, at around 8:40 p.m., Champaign Police responded to a shooting at the Mach 1 Food Stop on Bloomington Road. Officers arrived and found evidence of a shooting, including surveillance footage from the business, […]

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in solving a shooting that happened in Rantoul earlier this month. Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Autumn Fields Lane in the Pheasant Ridge Subdivision at 8:22 p.m. on May 14 after multiple people heard shots in the area. […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help solving a case. In a news release, officials said officers were called in reference to a fight that happened around 2:15 a.m. April 30 at Green Street Café in Champaign. Two women were having an argument when it turned into a physical fight. […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a theft and credit card fraud that happened on April 24. According to Champaign Police, at around 11 a.m. on April 24, a theft occurred at Home Goods, located at 718 Town Center Boulevard in Champaign. Officers […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for an individual who embodies the crime-fighting spirit of former board member and WCIA anchor Dave Benton. That Champaign County resident would receive the “Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award.” In a news release, Crime Stoppers officials said, “The intent is to recognize an individual […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior from Champaign County who is planning a career in Criminal Justice. Applications must be completed and received by May 20, 2022 by Champaign County Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 814, Champaign IL 61824, or scanned and emailed to 373tips@gmail.com.  Applicants must include the completed […]

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding an attempted robbery that happened on April 20. At around 11:35 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the B-Spirits Gas Station on West Main Street in response to a report of an attempted robbery. When officers arrived at […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for more information related to reckless discharge of a firearm on March 22. At around 7:30 p.m., Champaign Police were dispatched to the Blackhawk Convenience Store on West Springfield Avenue in response to a report of shots fired. When officers arrived at the […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a retail theft that happened on December 4, 2021. According to Champaign Police, at around 4:40 p.m., three subjects entered Menards at 620 West Town Center Boulevard, selected fourteen rolls of electrical wire and left the store without paying. The […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in getting more information about a recent retail theft. According to Champaign Police, on Jan. 18, two subjects entered Kohl’s at 109 Convenience Center Road at around 4:25 p.m. and left the store separately with unpaid merchandise, totaling $3,500 to $5,000. […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking the public’s assistance regarding recent burglaries. According to police, an unknown suspect entered Winston’s Old Bank on David Street in Sidney at around 3:40 a.m. on Feb. 6. They said the suspect broke into the gaming/gambling machines and stole the cash from within the […]

UPDATE (11:25AM 1/25/22) — Champaign Police said they have identified the offender. Officers included description of race in their original news release. When we asked law enforcement if this could be similar to other incidents we’ve seen nationwide that seem to target Asian-Americans, officers said they would not comment on that because this is an […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a burglary. According to police, on Jan. 6, two suspects broke into an ATM at CIBM Bank located at 2913 West Kirby Avenue at around 3:30 a.m.. Police said the offenders were driving a stolen maroon/silver Ford F350 pickup truck […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking support from the public to collect more information about an armed robbery that happened on December 10. According to officers, at around 7:50 p.m., an unknown offender entered the Family Dollar on North Market Street and brandished a firearm. It was reported that the offender […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a shooting that happened near Stix Arcade bar on Dec. 12. According to police, a fight occurred outside Stix Arcade bar at around 12:40 a.m. They said a man who wore a black coat with a fur-lined hood fired four […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a theft. According to police, two men entered the Circle K located at 1713 West John Street on Nov. 25 at around 4:26 p.m.. It is reported that one of them selected merchandise and proceeded to the checkout counter. He […]

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) – The Decatur Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a shooting that happened on Oct. 30. On that date, officers received reports of a shooting on North Union Street near West Leafland Avenue at approximately 3:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found a male victim had been shot […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Crime Stoppers of Sangamon & Menard Counties is asking for the public’s help in solving a burglary and theft that happened in Springfield last month. Crime Stoppers said that between noon on Oct. 23 and 7 a.m. on Oct. 25, a construction trailer located on the west side of Black Hawk […]

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) – Decatur Police officers are asking for the public’s help in solving a string of recent purse thefts. Officers said that each theft involves a suspect reaching into purses hanging off chairs and stealing wallets or credit cards. Restaurant patrons are reminded to pay close attention to their surroundings and to never […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking help from the public to get more information about a bank robbery that happened on October 15. Police said at around 1:25 p.m., they were dispatched to the First Midwest Bank on Springfield Avenue in response to a reported robbery. When police arrived at the […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A teenage girl is dead after officials said she was shot Wednesday night. Champaign Police said they responded to a reported shooting near Kenwood Road and White Street around 10:30 p.m.. When they got there, they found the girl was shot in her lower neck, stated officials in a news release. […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Crime Stoppers is seeking information about two armed robberies related to sales on Facebook Marketplace. Officials said the incidents took place on September 28 and October 7 in between 9 and 10 p.m. In both incidents, the victims were asked to meet at an apartment on Vine Street. When the victims […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — As part of WCIA 3’s Victory Over Violence initiative, WCIA has started working more closely with Crime Stoppers to hold criminals accountable to create a safer Champaign County. Crime Stoppers leaders say they’re happy to announce one of their most productive months in years. Board members recently approved $4,000 in […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection to a shots fired investigation near Centennial High School. Officers are also continuing to search for another suspect they said is involved in the situation. In a news release, police officials said a warrant was issued September 25 for the teenager on aggravated […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Sangamon and Menard County Crime Stoppers is seeking information about an armed robbery that happened in Springfield earlier this month. According to police, the Coldstone Creamery at 124 South 6th St. was robbed on Sunday, Sept. 5. at 10:55 p.m. The suspect walked into the store with a handgun and demanded […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Crime Stoppers group is hoping to increase rewards for tipsters, but they need your help to make a difference. As gun violence impacts communities across the area, the group is looking for financial support to increase the effects of the Illegal Gun Bounty Reward Program. The program […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – The Springfield Police Department announced on Thursday that officers arrested three people for gun-related offenses. Members of the SPD’s Emergency Response Team served a search warrant on Tuesday at a house in the 800 block of south Douglas Ave. They took 20 year-old Tyvion Burton, 19 year-old Lontray Clark and 24 […]

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Decatur Police need the community’s help in finding a wanted man. In a Facebook post, officers said warrants are out for 20-year-old Malik Williams on unlawful possession of a handgun and resisting/obstructing a peace officer charges. If you know where Williams is, you can call Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-TIPS. If […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Sangamon County Crime Stoppers is seeking information to help Springfield Police with a homicide investigation from last week. On August 9, Springfield police responded after someone said they found three dead bodies in a house on South 10th Street. The Sangamon County coroner pronounced them dead on the scene and their […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign police and fire departments are investigating several recent fires they believe were deliberately set. In a news release, officials said the fires were set between July 7 and August 2 during the overnight and early morning hours. Here is a list of the dates and locations of the fires: […]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Crime Stoppers is looking for information to help Springfield Police with their investigation into a homicide. In a news release, officers said police were called after 44-year-old Joseph “Joe” Sommer was found dead in his home on April 29. They are investigating his death as a homicide. Officers say they believe […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — “That’s really our best chance at really combatting gun violence so we just really encourage everybody to be apart of the solution,” Mary Catherine Roberson, City of Champaign Community Relations, said. That means bringing together the city, churches and community members. Groups decided to work together tonight on solutions for peace. […]

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – Champaign County crime stoppers is working to end gun violence. They started a program to get illegal guns off the street, and they say it’s working. They’ve been able to get dozens of guns out of the wrong hands. It’s called the illegal gun bounty reward program. It’s an incentive […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Police in Champaign County are continuing to investigate a May theft from a customer at a Meijer department store. A press release from Crime Stoppers says it happened sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on May 12. Detectives say four suspects are being sought after a wallet was stolen from […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – We report on more shootings every week in Central Illinois. “This is happening in our own backyard. It’s an item of tremendous concern for all residents of Champaign County,” John Hecker, Champaign County Crime Stoppers President, said. It’s happening across the country. “It’s spreading through the entire community. No one is […]