UPDATE: Two suspects allegedly connected to September car theft arrested

By Gary Scott on October 6, 2017 at 2:00pm

Additional arrests have been made in connection with the string of car thefts and burglaries around Jacksonville over the past few months.

According to police reports, two more individuals were apprehended in Springfield on Thursday.

Throughout the course of the investigation, which is still ongoing, Jacksonville Police have worked in conjunction with Springfield Police, who were able to locate the two suspects and take them into custody at approximately 4 p.m. Thursday. The two suspects are believed to have been involved with the most recent case regarding a stolen vehicle.

That incident occurred on September 25th after a vehicle was stopped in the 300 block of East Lafayette. During the traffic stop, three of the five occupants fled the vehicle on foot while the other two remained. Local authorities were able to apprehend one of the fleeing suspects after a short foot pursuit, while the two others got away.

According to Jacksonville Police Lieutenant Doug Thompson, the two suspects arrested yesterday are believed to be the two suspects who had previously gotten away during the September 25th incident.

Police reports say 18-year old Emen Essien, and a 16-year old male juvenile, both of Springfield, were arrested yesterday on valid Morgan County warrants for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.

Thompson says authorities believe with the arrest of Essien and the 16-year old juvenile they have apprehended everyone of interest regarding the September 25th incident.

While that case is believed to be closed, Jacksonville Police continue to investigate multiple other cases of stolen motor vehicle and criminal trespassing to vehicles. Local authorities ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 479-4630, or the Morgan County Crimestoppers at 243-7300.