It was reported that individuals had cut a hole in the fence to gain access to the property. Furthermore, the individuals burglarized multiple storage units by cutting the locks off the doors and taking property.
After a lengthy investigation, the following individuals were charged.
Troy J. Stapelton, age 47, of Rock Falls, was charged with the following:
- Three counts of Burglary (a Class 2 Felony)
- Two counts of Theft – Greater than $10,000, but less than $100,000 (a Class 2 Felony)
- Theft – Subsequent Offense (a Class 4 Felony)
Stapelton is currently in custody at the Whiteside County Jail on charges of Burglary and Theft in Whiteside County, Case Number 25 CF 399.
Dakota L. Bottoms, age 31, of Sterling, was arrested by the Sterling Police Department on August 5 for a Lee County warrant on the following charges:
- Three counts of Burglary (a Class 2 Felony)
- Two counts of Theft – Greater than $10,000, but less than $100,000 (a Class 2 Felony)
- Criminal Damage to Property – Greater than $500, but less than $10,000 (a Class 4 Felony)
- Theft – Less than $500 (a Class A Misdemeanor)
Pursuant to the Illinois SAFE-T Act, Bottoms was released on pretrial conditions with a notice to appear in court.
Timothy J. Parker, age 44, of Poplar Grove, was arrested on August 5 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on an arrest warrant for the following charges:
- Three counts of Burglary (a Class 2 Felony)
- Two counts of Theft – Greater than $10,000, but less than $100,000 (a Class 2 Felony)
- Theft – Subsequent Offense (a Class 4 Felony)
Parker was ordered to be detained and is currently being held at the Lee County Jail.
Jessica A. Hawley, age 48, of Davenport, Iowa, has been charged with the following offenses:
- Three counts of Burglary (a Class 2 Felony)
- Two counts of Theft – Greater than $10,000, but less than $100,000 (a Class 2 Felony)
- Theft – Subsequent Offense (a Class 4 Felony)
Hawley is currently serving a sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Whiteside County Case Number 22 CF 89 for Driving While License Revoked – Subsequent Offense, 22 CF 283 for Forgery, and 24 CF 290 for Driving While License Revoked – Subsequent Offense. Hawley has a projected parole date of January 8, 2027.
Citizens are reminded to report any suspicious activity or criminal intelligence information by calling the Lee County Sheriff’s Department at (815) 284-6631 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CAUGHT-U. Callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.
All charges are merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
