Child Molester Gets Decade In Prison

A man from Ottawa is headed to prison after admitting to molesting a seven year old girl.

36 year old Brian Crocco was given 10 years in prison today after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.  He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence.  Once released from prison, he’ll be on three years mandatory supervision and have to register as a sex offender.

Crocco was arrested last September after the family of the victim complained to Ottawa Police about Crocco.  The victim apparently was a frequent visitor to Crocco’s home.

By pleading guilty, prosecutors agreed to drop two extra counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Bird knocks out power to Peru

A bird is to blame for a power outage that had many Peru homes in the dark this morning.   Jim Potthoff with the electric department says a bird got into the high voltage switch gear at the Water Street substation just before eight.  The outage affected and area south of Shooting Park Road south.  Power was restored in about 20 minutes.

United Way makes final push to reach goal

As the United Way of the Illinois Valley tries to meet their annual goal, one of their board members is issuing a challenge.

Peter Fauth increased his donation by $100.  He’s hoping this will inspire others to increase their donations or have 67 people give $100 before Monday.  Monday is the deadline to raise $340,000.

Andrea Walters is the executive director.  She says they’ve got $6700 go, having brought in several hundred dollars Friday.

You can donate by visiting their website.  Walters says you could also leave a pledge on their voicemail this weekend.

Man robs Spring Valley pharmacy, leaves with drugs

It only took a couple of minutes for a man to hold up a pharmacy in Spring Valley.  Police say it happened shortly before closing time early Thursday evening at Johnson’s Pharmacy.  A man showed a handgun to the pharmacist and made off with prescription drugs, no cash.

Police were looking for a white man, about 30 – 40 years old, six foot, and 200 pounds.

It’s the second pharmacy to be held up in half a year.  Last October a similar robbery happened at Thompson’s Drug.  No one was arrested.