Several police agencies converged on Biggies on Route 161 at Interstate 57 east of Centralia Tuesday morning after a 911 call indicated there were three to five armed men inside the convenience store.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps said the woman who made the call, 33-year-old Ashley Pohlman of Streator and formerly of Salem, was outside on their arrival. While people could be seen inside, it was not immediately clear if anyone was armed.
When the store was called by police they were told there was no one with weapons and only employees were inside. A Centralia canine that was on the scene then entered the building to confirm no one was inside.
At that point, an attempt was made to arrest Pohlman for making a false 911 call. She reportedly got into an altercation with police and had charges of aggravated battery to a police officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct added. Pohlman is accused of scratching one of the sheriff’s deputies leading to the aggravated battery arrest. She was taken to the Marion County Jail pending a determination of formal charges.
Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies were joined by Salem and Centralia Police in responding to what turned out to be a false report. It occurred around six on Tuesday morning.
