EFFINGHAM, IL -(Effingham Radio)- Early this morning at approximately 5 a.m., ECSD received info of a vehicle being stolen from 8000 N 1200 St., according to police the owner was woken by the alleged thief, and ran outside of his home to see the car being driven away.
About 4 minutes later, ECSD recovered the vehicle in a wooded area near the home.
In assistance with ECSD, Effingham Police, and Illinois State Police coincided with each other, forming a perimeter around the same area, as well as deploying a K-9 to the scene.
The suspect, Willis J. Hewkin, 35, of Stewardson was located about 1/4 mile away and was immediately arrested by police.
Hewkin is now in police custody, and facing charges for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and theft of a motor vehicle.
ECSD Sheriff David Mahon was contacted for further comment, however there was not an immediate response.
We will continue to update this story as it develops.
UPDATE (2:30 p.m.): In an interview with Mahon, he briefly shared that no further details are available as the incident is still under investigation.