2008 Year in Review

Body Found Believed To Be That Of Russell R. Reed

Nicholas T. Sheley

The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing 93-year-old resident of rural Sterling at approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday morning, June 26, 2008. A search for Russell R. Reed was conducted for most of the day on Thursday. His car, a 2003 Buick Century four door was also reported as missing. At approximately 3 p.m. his vehicle was located in the 1700 block of Griswold Avenue in Sterling.

The car was parked off the roadway in a residence driveway. A search of the vehicle lead to the finding of a person, in the trunk of the car, deceased. The Whiteside County Coroner, Joe McDonald was summoned to the scene. The body was later removed from the car and transported to the County Morgue in Sterling. An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted today. The death is being handled as a homicide. The body is believed to be that of the owner of the vehicle, Mr. Russell R. Reed.

The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in this investigation by the Illinois State Police, Sterling Police, Rock Falls Police, Dixon Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Conservation Police, Whiteside County Coroner’s Office, Whiteside County States Attorney’s Office, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol, Illinois State Police Crimes Scene Services, and the Blackhawk Area Task Force.

A person of interest to law enforcement is Nicholas T. Sheley, age 28, of the Sterling-Rock Falls area. Sheley is wanted presently on a Whiteside County Arrest Warrant for home invasion. He is described as 5’ 10” tall, approximately 150 pounds, green eyes and shaved brown hair. Sheley’s bond was set in that case at $750,000.00 Sheley is considered armed and dangerous.

Law Enforcement Officers searched several homes in the Sterling-Rock Falls area last evening when tips were received of Sheley’s possible whereabouts. Later in the evening, Sheley was spotted driving a white Lincoln in Rock Falls. A short time later the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen white Lincoln.

Sometime later, Dixon Police and Lee County Sheriff Deputies attempted to stop the white Lincoln. It fled to the southwest corner of Lee County. Officers from many agencies converged on this location and attempted to locate the driver who they believe to be Sheley. The search continued throughout the night.

Today, June 27, Law Enforcement agencies are searching for a 1999 red Jeep that was reported stolen southeast of Rock Falls. Area Law Enforcement agencies are asking the public to report the location of Nicholas T. Sheley or the 1999 red Jeep Carryall, Illinois license plate 820-1126, to the nearest law enforcement agency, by calling 9-1-1, or 815-772-4044 or Whiteside County Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867.

THE PUBLIC IS REMINDED THAT SHELLEY IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 27, 2008