Latest news with #RockfordPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
East High student claims she was given fentanyl-laced candy on school bus
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A 14-year-old East High student suffered an overdose in class after she claims another student gave her a fentanyl-laced candy on the bus. The 14-year-old student, Gabby Romo, said she had received snacks before from the same acquaintance who gave her the candy. 'He had got on the bus after me and he came to the back. He was like, 'Well, I got some candy. Do y'all want some?' I was like, 'Sure.' And then he gave me like three of them and he was passing them out to everybody else,' Gabby recalled. It was soon after, in her first class, that Gabby said she started feeling the effects of the drug. 'It was about time for us [to leave], the bell was going to ring, and I'm sitting up, rocking back and forth, I'm seeing things, and then I just vomit everywhere,' she said. 'I thought I was just gonna die or my heart was going to stop.' Gabby said she was in and out of consciousness while she was being transported to UW SwedishAmerican. Doctors said she suffered an 'accidental fentanyl overdose.' 'Seeing the word overdose to me… I see 'your child almost died,'' said Gabby's mother, Jasmine Shearer. Shearer said she hopes the scary situation can be used as a warning to others. 'Poisoning kids isn't just happening at Halloween anymore. This is a year-round thing,' she said. 'You have to check everything your kid has, screen who your kid was hanging out with, get to know who your kid is hanging out with. In the end of the day, my daughter didn't really know this person by their first name. Nobody really knew this boy but by his first name. But because, you know, always passing out stuff, being friendly, they never saw it coming. She never saw it coming.' One of Shearer's friends posted about the incident on Facebook, prompting a response from Rockford Public Schools, which issued a statement, saying, 'We are aware of a social media post alleging that multiple East HS students were impacted by an illegal substance shared on a school bus. We have been unable to substantiate the incident at this time. The Rockford Police Department is investigating.' The Rockford Police Department confirmed an 'active and ongoing investigation' is underway. 'I want answers. I want to know what consequences are happening. I want to know where this situation is leading,' Shearer said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man on trial for fleeing police arrested on weapons charges in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Police arrested Christian Rodriguez, 23, on weapons charges over the weekend. Rodriguez is currently on trial for two incidents of fleeing police at high speeds. According to the Rockford Police Department, around 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, May 3rd, officers with the department's Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team spotted a 'suspicious vehicle' with three occupants near South Main Food & Liquor, at 1321 S. Main Street. When officers conducted a traffic stop, police said two of the occupants were missing. Both were then seen in the parking lot of the liquor store, with Rodriguez walking out from a wooded area nearby. Police searched the woods with the assistance of a K-9 and found a loaded handgun. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, and No Valid Firearm Owner's Identification. Rodriguez has two ongoing court cases for aggravated fleeing from police at speeds in excess of 35 mph over the speed limit, from 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Rockford man arrested after police find drugs in car during traffic stop
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford man, previously accused of bringing drugs into the Winnebago County Jail, has been arrested after police said drugs were found in his car during a traffic stop this weekend. According to the Rockford Police Department, Michael Gregory, 22, was arrested Saturday at 6:55 p.m. after officers stopped a car at Ridge and Bell Avenues. Police said over five grams of MDMA (Ecstasy) and 100 grams of cannabis were found during a search of the vehicle. Gregory was sentenced to 6 months in jail in April for manufacturing or delivering drugs after officials said they caught him with MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl in January. He faces new charges of Manufacturing/Delivery of Ecstasy, Manufacturing/Delivery of Cocaine, and Driving on a Suspended License. The other occupant of the car, Quintavius Simpson, 37, was taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants, including a February drug possession charge. He is also in court for a 2024 retail theft charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Rockford police arrest armed man fleeing officers at Airbnb party
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police, while breaking up a party at an Airbnb rental, arrested 'repeat felony offender' Jerry Rockette, 25, who reportedly ran from officers while armed. According to the Rockford Police Department, officers were called to the 4500 block of Dogwood Circle around 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, April 19th. As the party was being cleared, officers with the department's Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team attempted to speak with Rockette when he fled the scene. He was apprehended and a loaded gun was found on his person, according to authorities. Rockette has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, No Valid FOID, and Resisting Arrest. He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Rockford K-9 shot during traffic stop
A Rockford police K-9 was shot during a foot chase Saturday in Rockford. The Rockford Police Department posted shortly before 4 p.m. on X, that the K-9 is on their way to the emergency vet. The shooting took place during a traffic stop in the 1300 block of East State Street, police said. An adult male who was involved in the traffic stop fled on foot and shot the K-9, according to police. The suspect is in custody. Police did not release any further details. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford K-9 shot during traffic stop
