Poli
07-01-2008, 05:21 PM
Stay away!
FBI launches all-out manhunt for killer
By Carolyn Tuft and Christine Byers ([email protected])
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/01/2008
http://images.stltoday.com/stltoday/resources/sheley300july1.jpgNicholas T. Sheley
(Handout)
UPDATED 4:10 p.m.
The FBI this afternoon announced an all-out manhunt for Nicholas T. Sheley, a fugitive from Rock Falls, Ill., who is suspected in eight killings in Illinois and Missouri.
The murders include an elderly man from Whiteside County, Ill.; a couple who were staying in a hotel in Festus, Mo., just south of St. Louis; a man in Galesburg, Ill.; and the killings of two men, a woman and a child from Rock Falls, Ill. The FBI said in a bulletin from Washington D.C. that all eight had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head.
"The FBI will bring to bear all of its investigative resources to assist the Whiteside County Sheriff's office and the Illinois State Police in bringing Sheley to justice," said Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Grant of the FBI's Chicago Division.
The FBI is calling on all citizens to report anything that could lead to Sheley's arrest. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest. RELATED STORY
Police search for man in at least 5 deaths (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/035B07E60AC470CF86257479004E20DD?OpenDocument)
"With the vigilance of the public, we can end Sheley's violent killing spree," said Whiteside County, Ill., Sheriff' Roger Schipper. <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- // begin DisplayAds("Frame1","",""); // --> </script><script style="display: none;" language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oas-central.realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/www.stltoday.com/news/metroeast/1122354804@Frame1" type="text/javascript"></script>
At a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, Marc Maton, District 2 commander for Illinois State Police, said that police believe the Galesburg homicide occurred Saturday afternoon, then the Rock Falls apartment slayings late Saturday or early Sunday, followed by the Missouri killing late Sunday or early Monday, Maton said.
Investigators do not have a motive for the killings, but said they believe Sheley was a drug user.
Sheley is described as a 28-year-old white man, who is 5-feet and 11-inches tall, weighing about 165 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms, chest and shoulders. He has a criminal history of armed violence and resisting arrest and should be considered armed and dangerous and could be carrying a .9-mm handgun.
Already, Sheley is charged with murder for allegedly killing a 93-year-old man whose body was found Thursday in the trunk of Sheley's car in Sterling, Ill.
About 10:30 a.m. Monday, Festus police said they had found an Arkansas couple behind a convenience store. Then, at 4 p.m. Monday, police in Rock Falls, near Sterling, Ill., found the bodies of four people -- two men, a woman and a child -- in an apartment building. And, on Monday an elderly man was found dead behind a trash bin in Galesburg. Police believe that five of the victims from northern and central Illinois were killed before the couple found in Festus.
Sheley was last seen Monday evening in Collinsville. On Tuesday morning, police in tactical gear eventually searched a Collinsville apartment building for him but "were unable to locate the guy," Collinsville police Sgt. Rich Wittenauer said. Wittenauer said the search was at the request of the St. Louis Area Major Case Squad investigating the Festus case. Investigators are looking for a white pickup truck spotted near the scene of the Festus murders.
This afternoon, the FBI began featuring Sheley's picture on digital billboards across the country.
The FBI is asking for anyone with information to call the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office at 1-866-219-8333 or 1-800-CALL-FBI, both toll free numbers. Tips can also be sent online at www.fbi.gov. The FBI said that anyone coming across Sheley to call the police and do not approach him.
William Monroe, assistant special agent in charge of the investigation for the FBI, said people in the areas of the killings should be cautious and on the lookout for Sheley and contact authorities immediately.
“There is some concern that some of these killings may have been somewhat random,” he said.
More than 70 area law officers are on the case in the Sterling/Rock Falls area, and more than 40 more are investigating in the St. Louis area.
A Bloody Week
Investigators believe that Sheley killed Russell Reed of rural Sterling late last week in. His body was discovered Thursday afternoon in the truck of his car in Rock Falls.
On Monday, the bodies of two men, a woman and a child were discovered after a well-being check in Rock Falls, Ill. Police wouldn't say who made the request for the check, but they believe one of the victims is also connected to 93-year-old Russell Reed, a Sterling man whose body was found stuffed in a trunk last week.
This afternoon, investigators identified two of those four victims -- Brock Branson, 25, and Kenneth Ulve, 29, both of Rock Falls. The identities of the woman and child were not released, pending notification of relatives. Maton said Sheley knew all four of those victims.
Also Monday, the body of an older man was found near a trash bin behind a grocery store in Galesburg, a community about 60 miles southwest of Rock Falls. Police Sgt. James Martinson said investigators were working to determine if the body is that of a 65-year-old Galesburg man who was reported missing Monday. The man's car was stolen and later found in Missouri, Martinson said. An autopsy was planned for today.
This afternoon, police in Galesburg said they've obtained a warrant for Sheley on charges including first-degree murder, aggravated battery and vehicular hijacking in the death of Ronald Randall. Randall's body was found behind a Galesburg grocery store, and an autopsy shows the 65-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Police say Randall's 2007 pickup truck was found in St. Louis, and evidence discovered inside points to Sheley's involvement.
His death was starkly similar to the couple found in Festus, in Jefferson County. Jill Estes and her husband Tom Estes of Sherwood, Ark., were in town to attend a graduation. They were staying at the Comfort Inn Friday along Veteran's Boulevard just west of Interstate 55. They were found behind a Phillip's 66 gas station at 1245 American Legion Drive, more than a mile from the hotel.
Members of the Major Case Squad were investigating the Esteses' murders. They're hoping that surveillance footage from cameras at the gas station and near the hotel could give them some clues.
"These were good people," said Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis Monday. "They had no criminal history, and it looks like it was a random act."
As police patrolled the bi-state region looking for Sheley, they got several reports about sightings. In one instance, officers were told that Sheley was reported near Busch Stadium Monday night and may have threatened to kill again. Another police report said he was last spotted walking in the Cherokee area of south St. Louis on Monday. An alert put out by investigators said he is wanted as a suspect in multiple homicides. He is said to be armed with a 9mm handgun.
Sheley's uncle, Joe Sheley, 47, of Sterling, told The Associated Press that Nicholas Sheley had recently struggled with drugs and that his rap sheet include arrests for home invasion.
"He's been in trouble many times over the years, but something like this, yeah, it's out of character," Joe Sheley told the AP. "He's got a temper like anybody else. Just doesn't want to be messed with. Won't back down. But to go looking for a fight, looking for trouble, no."
Sheley spent nearly three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for aggravated robbery between 2000 and 2003 and another 17 months on parole, which ended in April 2005, IDOC spokesman Derek Schnapp told the AP.
The most recent warrant facing Nicholas Sheley was issued last week for a June 14 home invasion at a 90-year-old woman's home.
Sterling police said Sheley forced his way into the home, took an undisclosed amount of money and forced the woman to write out some checks. He became "somewhat physical" with the woman but she was not seriously injured, police said.
OnStar tracks truck
Police investigating the murders used Randall's OnStar features to find his truck. It was located near the Anheuser-Busch distribution facility in St. Louis.
Police from Galesburg, Ill. used the satellite-based technology around 9:30 a.m. Monday to find Randall's stolen 2007 Chevrolet Pickup. It was tracked to St. Louis about an hour after family members reported him missing.
Randall was not found with the vehicle, and St. Louis Police processed the pickup as a crime scene, according to Galesburg Police.
Later, Randall's body was found near a Galesburg food store.
FBI launches all-out manhunt for killer
By Carolyn Tuft and Christine Byers ([email protected])
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/01/2008
http://images.stltoday.com/stltoday/resources/sheley300july1.jpgNicholas T. Sheley
(Handout)
UPDATED 4:10 p.m.
The FBI this afternoon announced an all-out manhunt for Nicholas T. Sheley, a fugitive from Rock Falls, Ill., who is suspected in eight killings in Illinois and Missouri.
The murders include an elderly man from Whiteside County, Ill.; a couple who were staying in a hotel in Festus, Mo., just south of St. Louis; a man in Galesburg, Ill.; and the killings of two men, a woman and a child from Rock Falls, Ill. The FBI said in a bulletin from Washington D.C. that all eight had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head.
"The FBI will bring to bear all of its investigative resources to assist the Whiteside County Sheriff's office and the Illinois State Police in bringing Sheley to justice," said Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Grant of the FBI's Chicago Division.
The FBI is calling on all citizens to report anything that could lead to Sheley's arrest. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest. RELATED STORY
Police search for man in at least 5 deaths (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/035B07E60AC470CF86257479004E20DD?OpenDocument)
"With the vigilance of the public, we can end Sheley's violent killing spree," said Whiteside County, Ill., Sheriff' Roger Schipper. <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- // begin DisplayAds("Frame1","",""); // --> </script><script style="display: none;" language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oas-central.realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/www.stltoday.com/news/metroeast/1122354804@Frame1" type="text/javascript"></script>
At a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, Marc Maton, District 2 commander for Illinois State Police, said that police believe the Galesburg homicide occurred Saturday afternoon, then the Rock Falls apartment slayings late Saturday or early Sunday, followed by the Missouri killing late Sunday or early Monday, Maton said.
Investigators do not have a motive for the killings, but said they believe Sheley was a drug user.
Sheley is described as a 28-year-old white man, who is 5-feet and 11-inches tall, weighing about 165 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms, chest and shoulders. He has a criminal history of armed violence and resisting arrest and should be considered armed and dangerous and could be carrying a .9-mm handgun.
Already, Sheley is charged with murder for allegedly killing a 93-year-old man whose body was found Thursday in the trunk of Sheley's car in Sterling, Ill.
About 10:30 a.m. Monday, Festus police said they had found an Arkansas couple behind a convenience store. Then, at 4 p.m. Monday, police in Rock Falls, near Sterling, Ill., found the bodies of four people -- two men, a woman and a child -- in an apartment building. And, on Monday an elderly man was found dead behind a trash bin in Galesburg. Police believe that five of the victims from northern and central Illinois were killed before the couple found in Festus.
Sheley was last seen Monday evening in Collinsville. On Tuesday morning, police in tactical gear eventually searched a Collinsville apartment building for him but "were unable to locate the guy," Collinsville police Sgt. Rich Wittenauer said. Wittenauer said the search was at the request of the St. Louis Area Major Case Squad investigating the Festus case. Investigators are looking for a white pickup truck spotted near the scene of the Festus murders.
This afternoon, the FBI began featuring Sheley's picture on digital billboards across the country.
The FBI is asking for anyone with information to call the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office at 1-866-219-8333 or 1-800-CALL-FBI, both toll free numbers. Tips can also be sent online at www.fbi.gov. The FBI said that anyone coming across Sheley to call the police and do not approach him.
William Monroe, assistant special agent in charge of the investigation for the FBI, said people in the areas of the killings should be cautious and on the lookout for Sheley and contact authorities immediately.
“There is some concern that some of these killings may have been somewhat random,” he said.
More than 70 area law officers are on the case in the Sterling/Rock Falls area, and more than 40 more are investigating in the St. Louis area.
A Bloody Week
Investigators believe that Sheley killed Russell Reed of rural Sterling late last week in. His body was discovered Thursday afternoon in the truck of his car in Rock Falls.
On Monday, the bodies of two men, a woman and a child were discovered after a well-being check in Rock Falls, Ill. Police wouldn't say who made the request for the check, but they believe one of the victims is also connected to 93-year-old Russell Reed, a Sterling man whose body was found stuffed in a trunk last week.
This afternoon, investigators identified two of those four victims -- Brock Branson, 25, and Kenneth Ulve, 29, both of Rock Falls. The identities of the woman and child were not released, pending notification of relatives. Maton said Sheley knew all four of those victims.
Also Monday, the body of an older man was found near a trash bin behind a grocery store in Galesburg, a community about 60 miles southwest of Rock Falls. Police Sgt. James Martinson said investigators were working to determine if the body is that of a 65-year-old Galesburg man who was reported missing Monday. The man's car was stolen and later found in Missouri, Martinson said. An autopsy was planned for today.
This afternoon, police in Galesburg said they've obtained a warrant for Sheley on charges including first-degree murder, aggravated battery and vehicular hijacking in the death of Ronald Randall. Randall's body was found behind a Galesburg grocery store, and an autopsy shows the 65-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Police say Randall's 2007 pickup truck was found in St. Louis, and evidence discovered inside points to Sheley's involvement.
His death was starkly similar to the couple found in Festus, in Jefferson County. Jill Estes and her husband Tom Estes of Sherwood, Ark., were in town to attend a graduation. They were staying at the Comfort Inn Friday along Veteran's Boulevard just west of Interstate 55. They were found behind a Phillip's 66 gas station at 1245 American Legion Drive, more than a mile from the hotel.
Members of the Major Case Squad were investigating the Esteses' murders. They're hoping that surveillance footage from cameras at the gas station and near the hotel could give them some clues.
"These were good people," said Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis Monday. "They had no criminal history, and it looks like it was a random act."
As police patrolled the bi-state region looking for Sheley, they got several reports about sightings. In one instance, officers were told that Sheley was reported near Busch Stadium Monday night and may have threatened to kill again. Another police report said he was last spotted walking in the Cherokee area of south St. Louis on Monday. An alert put out by investigators said he is wanted as a suspect in multiple homicides. He is said to be armed with a 9mm handgun.
Sheley's uncle, Joe Sheley, 47, of Sterling, told The Associated Press that Nicholas Sheley had recently struggled with drugs and that his rap sheet include arrests for home invasion.
"He's been in trouble many times over the years, but something like this, yeah, it's out of character," Joe Sheley told the AP. "He's got a temper like anybody else. Just doesn't want to be messed with. Won't back down. But to go looking for a fight, looking for trouble, no."
Sheley spent nearly three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for aggravated robbery between 2000 and 2003 and another 17 months on parole, which ended in April 2005, IDOC spokesman Derek Schnapp told the AP.
The most recent warrant facing Nicholas Sheley was issued last week for a June 14 home invasion at a 90-year-old woman's home.
Sterling police said Sheley forced his way into the home, took an undisclosed amount of money and forced the woman to write out some checks. He became "somewhat physical" with the woman but she was not seriously injured, police said.
OnStar tracks truck
Police investigating the murders used Randall's OnStar features to find his truck. It was located near the Anheuser-Busch distribution facility in St. Louis.
Police from Galesburg, Ill. used the satellite-based technology around 9:30 a.m. Monday to find Randall's stolen 2007 Chevrolet Pickup. It was tracked to St. Louis about an hour after family members reported him missing.
Randall was not found with the vehicle, and St. Louis Police processed the pickup as a crime scene, according to Galesburg Police.
Later, Randall's body was found near a Galesburg food store.