Update – Noon Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023:
Two juveniles appeared before a judge this morning, who ordered their continued detention until the next court appearance on Monday, Sept. 25 in Sterling.
Update – 4:56 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2023:
Prophetstown Police Chief Bruce Franks told AroundPtown staff that police were called shortly after 1 a.m. today. It was found that the locks had been cut on four storage units, and bolt cutters were found on site. While investigating, approximately 7-8 gunshots were heard over the course of an hour. A Prophetstown squad car was shot at but not hit, Frank said. It was later discovered that a window had been shot out at Prophetstown Grade School, and bullet casings were found in the area of the former Penberthy building.
In accordance with state statute, the juveniles who were taken into custody will appear in Whiteside County Court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
Original article – posted at 12:54 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, 2023
Two juvenile suspects were apprehended and taken into custody by Prophetstown Police Department this morning after a burglary call.
Prophetstown Police was called to a burglary at the storage units on Market Street. Upon investigation it was discovered that a semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle was taken from one of the units. While investigating the burglary, with assistance from Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department, multiple gunshots were heard coming from somewhere within the Prophetstown city limits. Several other police agencies were called in to assist.
An eye witness on the scene described two juveniles dressed in black running from the scene with a small tote of ammunition. The two suspects were located at an address on Grove Street and taken into custody by Prophetstown Police Department. They were later transported to a juvenile detention center.
This is an active and pending investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prophetstown Police Department at 815-537-2386 or the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department at 815-772-4044.
Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Besides Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department, assistance was provided by Illinois State Police, and Erie, Morrison and Fulton police departments.
