MARION/HERRIN – A man was arrested after he tried to break into a vehicle Monday night in Williamson County according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded to the area of Illinois 13 near Crab Orchard Road around 9:50 p.m. and discovered the driver had experienced mechanical trouble on his way to work and had to leave the vehicle on the shoulder.
Individuals helping the driver told deputies they had returned with a trailer to retrieve the vehicle. Upon their arrival, they saw another vehicle parked behind the disabled vehicle, with a man and several women standing near the passenger side.
They got out and questioned the man as to what he was doing. The man said he was checking to see if everyone was okay. The group then got back into their vehicle and left, heading west on Illinois 13. During that time, the victim obtained the vehicle’s registration information.
Moments later, the group returned to the disabled vehicle and found the front passenger window had been damaged. The victim said he believed they had interrupted the man as he attempted to break into the vehicle. A detailed description of the suspects was provided by the victim and other witnesses.
Then shortly before 10 p.m., deputies on patrol in Herrin spotted the suspect’s vehicle and stopped it in the 400 block of South 20th Street. Several people were inside. A man matching the suspect’s description got out and fled into a nearby home. Deputies apprehended him without further incident. He was identified as Justin A. Phipps.
The victim and another witness later traveled to Herrin and were successfully identified Phipps ss the man they had seen earlier east of Marion.
A lawful search of the vehicle was conducted, during which deputies found a gray tire iron. The round end of the tool was similar in shape to the circular damage on the victim’s window, which remained intact by its window tint.
Phipps was cited for Felony Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Possession of Burglary Tools and Misdemeanor Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.
Phipps was booked into the Williamson County Jail.
