Suspicious Vehicle Reported in Hammond

By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer

According to information from Tommy Apperson, Piatt County Chief Deputy, on Thursday, September 30, at approximately 8:42 a.m., the Piatt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of the Piatt County Forest Preserve Park in Hammond.

This vehicle was located by officers in the 200 block of West Seventh Street in Hammond and was occupied by multiple individuals. The Atwood Police Department and the Bement Police Department assisted Piatt County Sheriff’s Deputies with this incident.

As a result of this incident, Adam M. Hackett, 19-year-old male from Atwood, was taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Piatt County for possession of drug paraphernalia. Hackett was also cited for operating a motor vehicle with no valid license, unlawful display of a registration plate, and operating an uninsured vehicle. The vehicle was impounded.

A second individual, Dakota R. Barton, 25-year-old male from Lovington was cited for violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Act for loitering within 500 feet of a public park.

A third individual, a 17-year-old juvenile, was released to their parent/guardian.

Chief Deputy Apperson would like to remind residents that all subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.