Latest news with #ChampaignPolice
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. Crime Stoppers announces 6 arrests, $11k in rewards through tips in May
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is highlighting the work of anonymous tipsters during the month of May in helping law enforcement make Champaign County a safer place. Officials said that during the month, anonymous tips from the public resulted in the following: six arrests, the seizure of four illegally possessed guns and ammunition and the seizure of illegal narcotics and drug packaging materials. The organization's Board of Directors approved $11,100 in cash rewards, including four $2,500 rewards through the Illegal Gun Bounty Reward Program. Champaign Police looking for tips in $500 theft from Kohl's 'Once again, the public came through to provide anonymous information that took dangerous felons and illegal weapons and drugs off the streets of Champaign County,' said John Hecker, President of Champaign County Crime Stoppers. 'Crime Stoppers works thanks to the trust and support of our community members, the local media, and law enforcement. Thank you to all those who submitted tips or otherwise help support our nonprofit organization.' For more information about Champaign County Crime Stoppers and to donate to the organization, visit its website, The website can also be used to submit a tip, along with the phone number 217-373-8477 and the P3 Tips app. Any tip submitted through these methods is anonymous to law enforcement and eligible for a reward if the tip results in an arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Champaign police respond to crash, find car in a creek
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign police officers responded to a car that crashed in the Copper Slough Creek over Memorial Day weekend. The crash happened near the intersection of West William Street and Fairoaks Drive just after 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Four-year-old hospitalized after gunfire in Champaign home When police arrived, they found that a vehicle had exited the roadway and crashed in the Copper Slough Creek. No injuries were reported, according to police. The car was removed by a tow company on Sunday. The Champaign Police Department said there are no other details available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
4 years later: Champaign Deputy Chief reflects on death of Officer Chris Oberheim
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department remembered one of their own on Monday. Officers Chris Oberheim and Jeff Creel were both shot while responding to a domestic call four years ago. Oberheim later died. Since that day in 2021, Greg Manzana, the deputy chief, said the department has built up staffing and focused on preparing officers for situations like the one that happened that night. But, there's one change you wouldn't see on the street — the Oberheim Room. It's on the department's first floor, and includes Oberheim's locker with his uniform, boots, family photos, and a Medal of Valor inside. 'It's just a daily reminder of the dangers of this profession,' Manzana said. Days like that are a family's and department's worst nightmare. 'There are memories, there are images I will take to my grave,' the deputy chief added. 'I had to change my ringtone. I hear the ringtone from that night, and to this day, it sends a chill down my spine.' Life-altering moment doesn't define retired Champaign Police Officer Jeff Creel At the time of the shooting, Manzana was Oberheim's lieutenant. They also served on the SWAT team together. Between responding to calls and handling police business, Manzana said he'll always remember their chats from 'car-to-car' in parking lots. 'His devotion to his kids, to his family. That's what I'm never going to forget about him,' Manzana added. Besides looking back, the department is also looking forward and being transparent with new officers about what happened that night. 'It comes down to ensuring that everybody we have knows what happened so that we can be vigilant, so that we can be as prepared as we can to face something like that,' Manzana said. About 40% of the department has been onboarded since Oberheim's death. Oberheim Baseball tournament held to honor fallen officer 'I'm in awe of all these officers signing up today to try to come on with us and do this job as dangerous as it is,' he added. Now, he's one of many who are making it his mission to continue honoring Oberheim and others who have died in the line of duty, keeping families front of mind the entire time. 'Chris didn't get to see his daughters graduate, won't get to walk his daughters down the aisle, missing the birth of his grandchildren, all in the service to this community. Trying to help somebody he did not know,' Manzana said. 'There is a debt of gratitude I feel to his family for that loss.' Officer Jeff Creel was the other officer with Oberheim on May 19, 2021. He was shot three times and later retired in 2022 after more than 20 years in Champaign. The Oberheim family later started Peacemaker Project 703, an organization to support law enforcement officers and their families. For more details, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
22-year-old man shot in Champaign, police seeking more information
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A 22-year-old man was shot in Champaign on Saturday, and police are looking for more details on the people involved. At 2:24 a.m. on Saturday, Champaign Police responded to the 1100 block of N Third Street for the reports of gunfire in a nearby parking lot. On scene, officers located a 22-year-old Urbana man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Five-vehicle crash in Champaign Co. leads to four hospitalizations These officers immediately began to administer medical aid with assistance from the Champaign Fire Department until the man could be transported to an area hospital for further treatment. He remains hospitalized in stable condition. The initial investigation indicates that there was an exchange of gunfire in the area between unknown parties. The people involved in the shooting fled the area before officers arrived. Additionally, investigators on scene found shell casings and property damage, including damage to two buildings and one vehicle. No other injuries have been reported in this incident. Driver hospitalized after wind blows over semi-truck on I-74 in Champaign Co. At this time, officers are continuing to search the surrounding area for witnesses and video footage that could help with the investigation. Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is urged to notify the Champaign Police Department. In this incident, arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The department is asking anyone who has more information to call them at 217-351-4545. People can also submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 217-373-8477, on their website or on the P3 Tips app. Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards of $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any homicide case, $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm and up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of people responsible for any other crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Champaign Police respond to Douglass Park damage, seeking more information
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department is looking for information on people who damaged and attempted to access the concession stand at Douglass Park. At 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Champaign Police were called to the park for the report of criminal damage. According to the department, officers were advised that on Tuesday, unknown people had tried to gain access to the concession stand but were unable to do so. Urbana woman targeted by 'brushing' scam USPS is warning Americans about After they couldn't get inside, the suspects damaged exterior fixtures at the park including security cameras. This investigation remains active, and Champaign Police are seeking witnesses who may have information on the parties involved in damaging the property. Anyone who has information on this situation is asked to call the department at 217-351-4545. Additionally, those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477(TIPS), on their website or on the P3 Tips app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
