Centralia Police are expressing new frustrations with the SAFE-T act as those earlier released on notices to appear in court allegedly became involved in new crimes over the weekend. Eventually, both were taken to jail with permission of the state’s attorney as a result of their multiple arrests. However, one was released again following their first court appearance.
30-year-old Briton McCray of Cormick Street in Centralia has been formally charged in Marion County Court with felony criminal trespass to a residence in the 1300 block of East Sixth as well as misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to a window at the home, criminal trespass to real property, and resisting a police officer.
34-year-old Angel Maldonado-Sierra of South Sycamore in Centralia has been charged in court with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, and in a separate incident misdemeanor criminal damage to a home in the 700 block of East Broadway, and criminal trespass for entering the building without permission.
Centralia Police say McCray’s problems began on January 26th when he broke out a window and refused to leave the home where he had previously been trespassed on East Sixth. He allegedly took off running after learning 911 had been called and was not located at that time.
Police say McCray was next involved in a Saturday morning incident where a 911 call was received of a man going into a fenced backyard of a home on Marquis Drive where the resident was not home. The man reportedly ran when confronted by the neighbor after telling him he was looking for a lost wallet. Police later located McCray and took him into custody when he tried to run again. He was released on a notice to appear on pending charges of criminal trespass and criminal damage because he was not eligible to be held under the Safety Act.
Police report McCray was involved in a third incident early Sunday morning when he allegedly entered the back door of a residence in the 500 block of East Broadway. He was taken into custody and later found hiding in a backyard shed. Police say Ring Doorbell video showed it was McCray who had entered the home. At that point, McCray was approved to be taken to jail. During his first appearance, Judge Mark Stedelin ordered McCray to be held without bond until his next court hearing.
Centralia Police say they first came into contact with Maldonado-Sierra on January 22nd when he allegedly stole a vehicle from the Walgreens parking lot that the owner had left running due to the cold weather. The vehicle was later found a few blocks away. Maldonado-Sierra had been identified by video from Walgreens and items were reportedly left in the car. Police later located Maldonado-Sierra on January 29th where he was given a notice to appear in connection with the car theft due to the new SAFE-T act guidelines.
Police say they then came into contact with Maldonado-Sierra on Sunday morning where he and a second person were allegedly found inside a home undergoing renovation by the owners. They had reportedly kicked in the basement door to get inside. Police identified Maldonado-Sierra from an ID left behind. Before police could locate him, he reportedly came back to the home and kicked in the basement door again. This time police were able to apprehend him and received permission to take him to the Marion County Jail.
Under the provisions of the Safety Act, the State’s Attorney’s office did not seek to hold Maldonado-Sierra on his multiple new charges during his first court appearance and he was released with pre-trial conditions.
