Pike Co. Sheriff’s Office Announces Several Felony Arrests

By Benjamin Cox on August 10, 2022 at 10:51am

Top Row L to R: Shelby Burch, Jesika Denison, Walter Michel. Middle Row L to R: Carmella Birchum, Donnovan Syrcle, James Gardiner. Bottom Row L to R: Christina Casteel, Jonathan Kollinger (Photos Courtesy of Pike Co. Sheriff's Office)

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office announced multiple felony arrests over the last week.

On July 15th, at 4:42 P.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, while working for the Village of Hull, conducted a traffic stop on Illinois Route 106 on the west edge of Hull on a silver 2007 Dodge truck. Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, 63 year old Rodney C. Shrader of Plainville was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Police also arrested a passenger in the vehicle, 52 year old Nancy L. Taylor of Plainville on a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Taylor was also arrested on a felony Adams County warrant or failure to appear on a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Shrader and Taylor are currently out on a $5,000 recognizance bond with a next appearance in court set for September 13th.

On July 18th, at 1:03 A.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on Washington Street in Pittsfield on a silver 2004 Jeep Cherokee. Subsequent to an investigation, deputies arrested the driver, 32 year old Jesika L. Denison of Bowling Green, Missouri for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. She remains held without bond at the Pike County Jail awaiting a first appearance in court set for August 23rd.

On July 24th, at 12:46 P.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department while working for the City of Barry, was dispatched to a residence in Barry regarding a theft complaint. Subsequent to an investigation, deputies arrested 30 year old Shelby B. Burch of Barry on two counts of theft and forgery. Burch also had outstanding Pike County failure to appear warrants for deceptive practice and possession of methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Burch is being held at the Pike County Jail on $10,000 bond (10% to apply) awaiting a first appearance in court on August 16th.

On July 27th, at 11:02 P.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on East Middle Street in Nebo on an individual traveling on an ATV. The driver of the four-wheeler refused to stop and a brief pursuit occurred. The Deputy Sheriff terminated the pursuit after identifying the driver of the four-wheeler. On July 28th, at 6:48PM, Pike County Sheriff’s Deputies followed up with the investigation and arrested 26 year old Walter L. Michel of Nebo at a residence in rural Nebo for aggravated fleeing or eluding police, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, felony driving with a revoked license, unlawful possession of hypodermic syringes, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to use a turn signal, improper lane usage, improper operation of an ATV on a public roadway. Michel, who is on mandatory supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections, was arrested and lodged in the Pike County Jail. He remains held on $18,000 bond (10% to apply) awaiting a first appearance in court on August 16th.

On July 29th, at 4:10 P.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, while working for the Village of Hull, went to a residence located in the 600 block of Elm Street in Hull to attempt to service a warrant. Subsequent to an investigation, deputies arrested 38 year old Carmella I. Birchum of Hull on charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies also arrested was 53 year old James M. Gardiner of Hull for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office says this case remains under further investigation. Both remain held without bond at the Pike County Jail without bond.

On July 30th, at 2:14 A.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on Washington Street near Shetland Drive in Pittsfield on a 2001 Mazda. Subsequent to an investigation, deputies arrested the driver, 44 year old Christina A. Casteel of St. Louis, Missouri for possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle by a driver, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, driving with a revoked license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Casteel has been released on a $6,000 recognizance bond. A preliminary hearing has been set in the case on August 16th.

On July 31st, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department executed 2 court-authorized search warrants at separate locations in Baylis. During the execution of said search warrants, firearms and firearms ammunition were located and seized. Arrested as a result of the search warrants was 34 year old Donovan G. Syrcle of Baylis n charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Unlawful Possession of Firearms Ammunition by a Felon. Syrcle has since posted bond and been released from the Pike County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been set in the case for August 16th.

On August 7th, at 8:50 P.M., the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, while working for the City of Barry, conducted a traffic stop on I-72 near mile post 20 on a white 2015 Chevrolet passenger car. Subsequent to an investigation, a passenger in the vehicle, 50 year old Jonathan A. Kollinger of Salt Lake City, Utah was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis over 100 grams. Bond has not yet been set in the case. Kollinger remains lodged at the Pike County Jail.