Gillespie Police Department

05/25/2026

05/06/2026

The following subject was charged on 04/27/26, by the Macoupin County States Attorney’s Office, with one count of Failure to Report Annually (Class 2 Felony).

Shane D. Robbins
W/M DOB 09/17/1985
Benld, IL

On 04/26/26 the said defendant, an individual required to register pursuant to the Illinois S*x Offender Registration Act, failed to register annually as required, and said defendant has previously been convicted of a registration offense.

The charge issued in this case is based only upon probable cause, and not an indication of guilt. This defendant as well as all others are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

04/27/2026

Public Safety Announcement-Severe Weather Alert for April 27, 2026

This is an important safety message for our community.

The Nation Weather Service has issued a First Alert for Monday, April 27, 2026, due to the Potential for strong to severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail that could reach baseball size. Everyone is urged to stay alert and be prepared.

To avoid confusion, please remember the following about outdoor warning sirens.
• Sirens are NOT only for tornadoes
• They are activated for any life-threatening severe weather
• Activation criteria include:
• Winds of 80 mph or higher
• Hail 1.5 inches or larger
Tornado warnings
Any Nation Weather Service warning issues for our area

If you hear the sirens, it means seek shelter immediately and get more information from a trusted source. Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors, so make sure you also have reliable indoor alerts such as weather radio or mobile notifications.

04/22/2026

The following subject was charged on 03/26/26, by the Macoupin County States Attorney’s Office, with one count of Possession of M**h (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Driving Revoked/Suspended DUI (Class 4 Felony).

Charles W. Robbins, Jr.
W/M DOB 04/11/1977
Gillespie, IL

On 03/25/26 the said defendant knowingly possessed less than 5 grams of methamphetamine or a substance containing methamphetamine.

The said defendant, drove a motor vehicle, being a 2013 Chevrolet truck on Central Avenue in Benld, Macoupin County, Illinois, during a period when his license was suspended pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1, and the defendant having been previously convicted of driving while license suspended or revoked on two prior occasions in Macoupin County.

The charges issued in this case are based only upon probable cause, and not an indication of guilt. This defendant as well as all others are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

04/14/2026

This week is national telecommunication (dispatchers) week. The Gillespie PD is beyond grateful for the hard work and dedication our dispatchers bring to the job every shift. Dispatching isn't an easy job, and is often overlooked and underappreciated. Thank you Dispatchers for all the work you do to help keep our community safe. - Chief Jared DePoppe.

04/08/2026

The following subject was charged on 03/24/26, by the Macoupin County States Attorney’s Office, with one count of Aggravated DUI (Class 2 Felony), one count of Felon Possess Weapon (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Driving Revoked/Suspended DUI (Class 4 Felony).

Douglas R. Whitten
W/M DOB 11/09/1980
Litchfield, IL

On 03/23/26 the said defendant, drove a silver in color 2017 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Broadway Street in Gillespie, State of Illinois, while under the influence of alcohol, the defendant having previously been found to have committed violations of 625 ILCS 5/11-501 or a similar out of State offense in Montgomery County on December 17, 2003 and February 11, 2011.

The said defendant, a person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of the State of Illinois, knowingly possessed on or about his person a switchblade knife, a weapon prohibited under section 24-1 of this Act.

The charges issued in this case are based only upon probable cause, and not an indication of guilt. This defendant as well as all others are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

04/01/2026

The following subject was charged on 03/11/26, by the Macoupin County States Attorney’s Office, with one count of Aggravated Battery/Victim 60+ (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Domestic Battery (Class A Misdemeanor).

Dana L. Goth
W/F DOB 03/11/1977
Staunton, IL

On 03/10/26 the said defendant, in committing a battery, intentionally caused bodily harm to the victim, a person over 60 years of age, in that she struck him in the head causing injury to his eye.

The charges issued in this case are based only upon probable cause, and not an indication of guilt. This defendant as well as all others are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/11/2026

Today the Gillespie Police Department conducted a random K9 Drug Dog sniff training at the Gillespie High School and Gillespie Middle School. This training not only benefits the K9 dogs and their handlers, but also helps us monitor school safety protocols. A big thank you to Gillespie School Resource Officer Jake Linhart for organizing this training.

I would also like to thank the K9 officers and dogs with Macoupin County Sheriff Department, Litchfield Police Department, Illinois State Police and the Montgomery County Sheriff Department for their assistance today.
-Chief Jared DePoppe

02/11/2026

The following subject was charged on 01/22/26, by the Macoupin County States Attorney’s Office, with one count of Possession of M**h (Class 3 Felony).

Justine P. Bertoldi
W/F DOB 10/10/1984
Staunton, IL

On 01/21/26 the said defendant, knowingly possessed less than grams of methamphetamine or a substance containing methamphetamine.

The charge issued in this case is based only upon probable cause, and not an indication of guilt. This defendant as well as all others are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

02/04/2026

The GPD is always happy to assist other police agencies. This was great teamwork from all the officers involved.

Press Release

Pittsfield, Illinois– A Wilsonville man has been sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his arrest and conviction stemming from a burglary at the Jiffi Stop convenience store in Pleasant Hill and related offenses across multiple counties.
On June 9, 2025, at approximately 3:55 a.m., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department responded to an alarm activation at the Jiffi Stop convenience store in Pleasant Hill, Pike County, Illinois. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the glass entry door had been shattered and that an unknown suspect had unlawfully entered the business, stealing an undisclosed amount of merchandise.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr and Sergeant Matt Frazier immediately initiated a criminal investigation.
Investigators reviewed extensive hours of surveillance footage, while Chief Deputy Orr coordinated with surrounding law enforcement agencies to identify connections between the incidents.
Through inter-agency cooperation, it was determined that two additional businesses in Calhoun County had been burglarized. Further investigation revealed that the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office had recovered evidence connected to the burglaries at a location in Jersey County, Illinois.
Multiple court-authorized search warrants were obtained to examine electronic devices and other evidence related to the investigation. A significant breakthrough came through the investigative efforts of Detective Sally Arbuthnot and Megan Ayres of the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. With assistance from the Gillespie Police Department, Chief Deputy Orr identified the individual operating the suspect vehicle involved in the burglaries.
On June 12, 2025, Chief Deputy Orr obtained a court-authorized search warrant for a residence in Wilsonville, Macoupin County, Illinois, with assistance from Lieutenant Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department.
At approximately 3:32 p.m., officers from the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Pike County Sheriff’s Department executed the search warrant. During the search, officers recovered property stolen during the burglaries.
As a result of the investigation, Casey W. Sobberi, age 40, of Wilsonville, Illinois, was taken into custody. At the time of the offenses, Sobberi was on mandatory supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Due to Illinois Department of Corrections policy and procedural limitations, IDOC did not assist in the apprehension or detention of Sobberi.
On January 20, 2026, Sobberi appeared before Judge J. Frank McCartney, where he pleaded guilty to burglary, felony theft, criminal damage to property valued between $500 and $10,000, and possession of burglary tools. Sobberi was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Sobberi is scheduled to appear for a plea hearing on February 17, 2026, in Calhoun County, Illinois, where he faces two counts of burglary, two counts of felony theft, and two counts of criminal damage to property. Additionally, while on pretrial release, Sobberi committed further burglaries in Macoupin County and Madison County, Illinois.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr said, “This case reflects the level of commitment our investigators bring to every serious crime. Through persistence, detailed investigative work, and cooperation with our partner agencies, we were able to hold this offender accountable.”