BELLEVILLE – Three suspects were taken into custody after a report of a possible attempted home invasion and subsequent gunfire in St. Clair County.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said that through the 911 communications center, it received a call on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, with the report and St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies responded, and officers with the Dupo Police Department had already arrived and separated the subjects involved.
After interviews with all individuals involved, Investigator Benjamin Vise submitted a warrant application on Thursday, June 11, to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office for criminal charges.
On Thursday, June 11th, Assistant State’s Attorney Tara Mendola issued the following charges:
Timothy R. Durham (29 years old)
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Criminal Felony)
Joe A. Chandler (36 years old)
Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Criminal Felony)
Michael E. Chancellor (29 years old)
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Criminal Felony)
“Deputies searched the area with assistance from a K9 officer from the East St. Louis Police Department and a sheriff’s department K9. During the search, investigators recovered a rifle that had been discarded by an additional suspect and later located that suspect after he fled the scene,” the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office added in a statement.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of the responding officers and investigators, several firearms were removed from individuals who used them unlawfully and recklessly, placing our community at risk of harm,” Lt. James Hendricks of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said in the release.
The sheriff’s department also encouraged anyone experiencing domestic violence to contact the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois at 618-235-0892.
Under Illinois Supreme Court requirements, all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788 or visit TheHotline.org. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
