Information provided by Bruce Franks, Police Chief PPD
For the second time in less than a week the Prophet Mini-Mart at 202 Washington St. in Prophetstown was the scene of a burglary. On Thursday, June 15, at 12:32 AM, Prophetstown Police were called to the Mini-Mart following a citizen’s report of the store’s front door glass having been broken out.
Upon arrival, Prophetstown Police found no one in the building and determined that numerous items had been taken from inside the store.
After reviewing the store’s surveillance system records officers began a search for two juvenile males observed committing the crime. One of the suspects was known to the officers and after contacting the family and with their help the two juveniles were located a short distance from the scene with the stolen goods. Both juveniles were charged with burglary and felony criminal damage to property.
Police also determined the pair are suspected of a pair of break-ins to the concession stand at the Prophetstown ball diamonds, one which occurred the same night as the break-in at the Mini-Mart.
Prophetstown Police were assisted at the scene by the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department.
The pair were processed and released to their parents.
Police Chief, Bruce Franks said that the break-in was not related to the one that occurred at the store on June 10th. Authorities are still seeking the public’s help in finding the two suspects that were seen on surveillance cameras attempting to break into the store’s ATM machine. Police are seeking two black males, who were wearing black hoodies, black pants, and black face masks. A black dodge pickup was also seen in the video, unknown year, make or model.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Prophetstown Police at 815-537-2386 or Whiteside County Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
