Bethalto Police Department Has Busy Weekend
BETHALTO – It was an unusually busy weekend for officers in Bethalto, with multiple arrests, stolen vehicles, and seized firearms.
On Friday, March 4, 2022, at approximately 10:23 p.m., Bethalto Officers responded to a reported Carjacking in the 100 block of Wesley Drive. Officers met with the victim, who told them that an acquaintance had stolen his vehicle and ran him over as she fled the scene. Bethalto Officers worked with Wood River Police Officers and recovered the vehicle and identified the suspect. The case is under investigation and will be presented for charges in the coming days. The victim suffered from what was reported to be only minor injuries.
On Saturday, March 5, 2022, at approximately 9:04 a.m., Bethalto Officers took a report of a stolen vehicle in the 100 block of Ashbrook. Officers handling the investigation identified a possible suspect who they later located and took into custody. The vehicle, a gold in color, 2003 Chevrolet, Cavalier, bearing Illinois Registration 3792344 is still missing and likely in the Wood River / Rosewood Heights / Godfrey area.
The suspect, John L. Hampton, M/W Age 45 of the Bethalto/Godfrey was charged this morning by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office with Offenses Related to Motor Vehicles and is in the custody of the Madison County Jail in lieu of $50,000.00 Bond.
On Saturday, March 5, 2022, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Bethalto Officers were dispatched to the area of west bound Illinois Route 140, in reference to a purported Road Rage incident, which involved one subject reportedly pointing a gun at a family in another vehicle. The suspect vehicle was located and stopped by the Illinois State Police on Brakhane Road south of Worden, Illinois.
The driver, William E. Speed, M/W Age 70 of Hillsboro, Illinois, was arrested without incident and charged by Bethalto Officers with Aggravated Assault. Speed posted bond and was released on the offense.
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, at approximately 2:32 p.m., Bethalto Officers stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic offense on Irwin Plegge Expressway.
The driver, Monty C. Basden, M/W Age 50, of Bethalto, Illinois, was wanted on a Failure to Appear warrant for Driving while License Suspended and had a Suspended Illinois Driver’s License.
During the encounter officers determined that Basden had a loaded pistol in his pants pocket.
Basden was taken into custody without incident and was charged today with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Basden is being held in the Madison County Jail in lieu of a $15,000.00 bond.
