MARION – The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a multi-state criminal enterprise which is responsible for the theft of hundreds of vehicles beginning as far back as 2019.
Around 8:20 Thursday night, a Spillertown Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle was also discovered to have no visible registration plate.
The vehicle fled from the officer traveling northbound on Interstate 57 reaching speeds of 125 mph before running out of gas just south of West Frankfort.
Armon V. Cameron was taken into custody without further incident and charged with Aggravated Fleeing To Elude, Speeding, No Valid Driver’s License, Disobeying Traffic Control Device, No Valid Registration and Improper Lane Usage.
Additionally, Cameron was taken into custody for an outstanding Cook County arrest warrant for vehicle theft.
The sheriff’s office learned a 17-year-old Marion resident was the registered owner of the vehicle that Cameron had just bought minutes earlier. A review of that transaction confirmed the $26,000 bank check was fraudulent.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that this St. Louis based criminal enterprise has been fraudulently acquiring as many as 10 vehicles a week across a three state region.
Cameron was charged with the following additional charges Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Conspiracy to Commit Vehicle Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Check Fraud and Forgery. He was taken to and lodged in the Williamson County Jail. The vehicle was returned to its rightful owner.
Sheriff’s investigators have confirmed that another vehicle theft which happened back on late April in Williamson County is related to the same criminal enterprise.
During that incident the same method was utilized and the suspect provided the victim a fraudulent check in the amount of $75,000. That vehicle was recovered and has since been returned to its owner.
Additional related vehicle theft cases have been identified and are being investigated in at least one surrounding county with more anticipated.
The public is reminded that transactions involving large dollar amounts, conducted during non-business hours, or those which seem too good to be true are often scams.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Spillertown Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their assistance in this matter.
This remains an ongoing investigation.
If you have any information concerning this investigation, contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or “Submit A Tip” on the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.