The Audrain County Sheriff’s Office released the following press release on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
On September 1, 2023, during the afternoon hours, a deputy on focused patrol along West Liberty Street in Mexico observed a subject on a “home made” motorized bike fail to stop for a stop sign. The deputy stopped the rider for the observed violation, and found the operator, Ethan Levings, 29, of Mexico, to have a revoked driver’s license. He was arrested for the offense, and during the arrest, was found in possession of Methamphetamine and Hydrocodone. He was transported to the Audrain County Jail.
On September 2, during small hours of the morning, a deputy on focused patrol observed a bicycle being operated by a subject along West Jackson Street in Mexico. The bicycle had no lights as required by law for night operation. The deputy stopped the bike for the observed violation. He found the rider, Branden G. Collins, 46, of Wellsville, had felony warrants for his arrest issued by Montgomery and Audrain Counties. Upon arrest for the warrants Collins was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine. He was transported to the Audrain County Jail.
On September 3, 2023, during the late evening hours, a deputy on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling along East Liberty in Mexico at 23 MPH over the posted limit. The deputy stopped the vehicle, and as a result of the contact with the driver, Gary Weaver, 70, of Lebanon, arrested the driver for DWI-Habitual Offender. Weaver was transported to the Audrain County Jail.
On September 3, 2023, during the late evening hours, Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance call along Page Street in Vandalia. Upon arriving and investigating, it was determined a disturbance had been ongoing, and through the investigation, found that one of the parties involved, Shannon Hazel, 39, of O’Fallon, was prohibited by law from possessing firearms. It was determined Hazel has possessed a pistol during the disturbance. Hazel was arrested for the offense and transported to the Audrain County Jail.
On September 4, 2023, during the mid-morning hours, deputies were dispatched to an address in rural Vandalia to investigate a suspicious vehicle call. They arrived and contacted the occupant, Douglas Grote, 47 of Curryville. During the investigation, Grote was found in Possession of Methamphetamine, Xanax and Drug Paraphernalia. Grote was arrested and transported to the Audrain County Jail.
On September 5, 2023, during the early morning hours, while investigating a suspicious vehicle call, a deputy in Vandalia observed a UTV being operated on the roadway and contacted the driver. The driver, Eugene Govero, 47, of Vandalia was found to have a revoked Driver’s License. He was arrested, issued a Summons for the offense and released.