Jordan Watkins, 20, already charged with severely injuring dog arrested again for breaking into vehicles

ILLINOIS -- A Pleasant Plains man already facing felony charges for allegedly kicking and severely injuring a dog was arrested again Tuesday night in Chatham.

Police said Jordan Watkins, 20, and another man, 19-year-old Mitchell B. Clagett of Chatham, are suspected of breaking into 10 to 15 vehicles Tuesday night throughout the village.

   

Both men were booked into the Sangamon County Jail early Wednesday on possible charges of criminal trespassing to a vehicle and illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Watkins and Clagett also could be charged with burglary to a motor vehicle, Chatham police said.

Officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Juniper Place around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of two men breaking into vehicles parked on the block.

The men drove off before officers arrived, but the tipster provided police with a description of the vehicle they were driving.

Officers canvassed the area but couldn't find the vehicle until eventually catching up to it in the Manor Hill subdivision.

When seeing the squad car, the driver, Watkins, quickly pulled into a driveway, police said. The officer pulled up and questioned Watkins, who said he was there to meet a friend who wouldn't answer the door.

However, police said that upon further questioning, Watkins admitted that he and Clagett had rummaged through unlocked vehicles that night and stolen valuables. Cash and car stereo equipment were found in the car Watkins was driving, police said.

In addition, police said both men exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests.

The arrest is the latest legal problem for Watkins.

He was charged July 9 with criminal damage to a domestic animal, aggravated cruelty to an animal and cruel treatment of an animal.

 

 

 

The little dog was named Max is now in a great home

Watkins is accused of knocking his ex-girlfriend's sister's Maltese and Yorkie mix, which weighs 7 to 8 pounds, into the wall, causing its eye to pop out of its socket. Watkins then allegedly drove the dog out into the country and abandoned it.

The first two charges are Class 4 felonies, punishable by probation or one to three years in prison.
A preliminary hearing for that case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 24.

(The State Journal-Register - Aug 27, 2015)

Earlier:

• Pleasant Plains man, Jordan Watkins, kicked and abused tiny dog then drove it out to the country and abandoned it to die

Related:

• Justice for Max (Facebook)