Clay County Sheriff’s Office Make Arrests After Investigating Burglary At Xenia Phillips 66

On August 11, 2022 at approximately 2:24 a.m. the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Xenia Phillips 66 for a burglary alarm and a report of a subject inside the business breaking into the gaming machines. Upon the arrival of the deputy, the suspect fled from the building. When additional deputies arrived, they began searching the surrounding agricultural fields and woods for the suspect, which resulted in the recovery of evidence of the crime.

At approximately 6:10 a.m. a vehicle, believed to be the suspect’s vehicle, was observed leaving the area of the burglary. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and left the roadway traveling through a bean field near Church St and Old Highway 50. The vehicle reentered the roadway and traveled north on the Xenia-Iola Rd until it attempted, for unknown reason(s), to enter a private drive near Fir Ln. The vehicle slid through the driveway almost striking the house. The vehicle then drove across the yard and entered a corn field until it exited the corn field and struck a tree. The driver then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

The sheriff’s office remained in the area throughout the day and into that evening attempting to locate the suspect. At approximately 3:43 p.m. a deputy responded to report of a suspicious vehicle/person(s) in the 1000 block of Aspen Rd. Upon the arrival of the deputy, the vehicle attempted to flee from the deputy down a private drive. The deputy was able to block the vehicle in preventing it from getting back to the roadway. A male and a female subject were taken into custody.

As a result of the incident on Aspen Rd, Jeremy M. Toth, 35, of Benton and Whitney L. Gosnell, 28, of Buckner were arrested and later charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. Toth’s bond was set in the amount of $30,000 (10% to apply) and Gosnell’s bond was set in amount of $21,000 (10% to apply). Both subjects secured their release at a later date.

As a result of the incident at Xenia Phillips 66 a warrant was issued in Clay County Court for the arrest of Anthony W. Tucker, 33, of, Christopher for the offense of Burglary, Theft over $500, Criminal Damage over $500, and Aggravated Fleeing in amount of $500,000 (10% to apply). The sheriff’s office received notification on November 14, 2022 that Tucker had been taken into custody on this warrant and multiple warrants from other counties by the U.S. Marshall Service. Tucker is expected to be transported to Clay County at a later date for these offenses.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Flora Police Department, Illinois State Police, U.S. Marshall Service, and several other agencies throughout the state.