Car Wash Burglary Suspect Identified

A man has been identified as a suspect in burglaries of three Effingham car washes earlier this year.

53-year-old James Joseph Williams of Manchester, Missouri is accused of burglarizing the car washes three times between 8:30pm May 20 and 12:20am May 21, and then at 12:20am on July 1.

Effingham Police Department reports that in each incident, video surveillance showed a male subject break into the vacuums and wash bay machines utilizing an angle grinder, causing a combined total of approximately $2,000 in damages. He then stole an undetermined amount of currency, mostly quarters, from each machine.

The City's Bureau of Criminal Investigations launched an investigation and, through information sharing with other Midwestern law enforcement agencies, determined the suspect in the Effingham case had committed similar burglaries at car washes in both Missouri and Illinois, including locations as near as O'Fallon and Greenville.

The results of the investigation were submitted to Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler, who issued a warrant for Williams' arrest. Felony charges against Williams include two counts of theft and two counts of criminal damage to property. Bond has been set at $20,000.

Kibler said Williams is in custody in St. Charles County, Missouri for alleged offenses in that county.

Effingham Police Chief Jeff Fuesting praised the co-operative efforts between the network of law enforcement agencies including Effingham in the case, saying, "Because of the co-ordinated hard work of our officers and detectives, we were able to collect good evidence, including video surveillance, which helped tremendously in identifying this suspect through our collaboration with other agencies in the Midwest."

The Effingham Police Department encourages citizens to phone the department at 347-0774 to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood or business district. Information can also be delivered by phoning the CRIMESTOPPERS Tip Line at 347-6583. Anonymous callers can receive up to $1,000 cash rewards.