The Mattoon Police Department arrested two Mattoon men in connection with a theft of a motor vehicle that occurred early Thursday morning.
According to a press release from the Mattoon Police Department, officers were called to Ideal Auto Sales at 3:18am for a business alarm. The press released stated that the vehicle taken from Ideal Auto Sales was located near Hindsboro and a Coles County Sheriff’s Deputy was in pursuit. The press released then stated that the suspects had then abandoned the vehicle and had fled on foot.
The press release identified the suspects as 31 year old, Laurence J Thompson and 33 year old, Mathew S Cook. Thompson had allegedly broken into Ideal Auto Sales and stole the vehicle and Cook was allegedly a passenger in the stolen vehicle and had lied to/obstructed police during their investigation. They were located in rural Coles County by Sheriff’s Deputies and were taken to Mattoon Police Department, where they were interviewed and arrested. Thompson is being charged with Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Fleeing/Eluding Police. Cook is being charged with Obstructing Justice and Resisting a Peace Officer.
(Photos courtesy of the Mattoon Police Department)
All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.