Closing Arguments Heard in Kolodziej Theft Trial

How much money would you have to give your child before they started questioning where it came from? The answer to that question will help decide whether a La Salle woman goes to jail.

After 30-year old Ashia Kolodziej said she would not take the stand, both sides had their final arguments Wednesday. The key issue is whether or not she knew the nearly $300,000 her mother paid on Kolodziej’s credit card was stolen.

Assistant State’s Attorney Greg Sticka claimed she had to have known because of the sheer amount. He claimed she charged more than $85,000 to the card in 2014 alone, and the bills were paid despite her mother, Connie Steinbach, having a salary of just $52,000. Steinbach is currently serving a 7-year sentence for pleading guilty to stealing more than $1 million from J.B. Contracting.

Kolodziej’s attorney, Joe Navarro, argued that the sheer amount his client received from her mom doesn’t prove that she “reasonably knew” the money had to be stolen. Judge Daniel Bute will decide Kolodziej’s fate Thursday afternoon.

Arraignment delayed in theft case involving traveling volleyball team

A volleyball dad who’s accused of stealing from a traveling volleyball team was set to be in a LaSalle County Court Wednesday morning, but he wasn’t even in Illinois.

Attorney George Leynaud explained that his client, 45-year old Eric Zimbelman, thought he wasn’t due back in court until Friday. Zimbelman was actually scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning on a felony count of theft between $10,000 and $100,000. He’s accused of stealing funds from the Illinois Valley Volley Power travel team.

Leynaud told Judge Cynthia Raccuglia that Zimbelman was in Indiana for work. He was given permission to leave the state when he was released on $7,500 bond.

Raccuglia rescheduled the arraignment for September 28th.

Arrest made in Deb Dewey death investigation

Deborah Dewey’s brother-in-law has been arrested in relation to her body being found buried in Standard.

The Illinois State Police announced Wednesday afternoon that 66-year-old Clifford Andersen of Standard is charged with a class 4 Felony of concealment of a death. He’s being held in the Bureau County Jail, needing $75,000 to get out.

Tuesday night, police carried out a search warrant at Andersen’s home on 8th Street in Standard, a few blocks away from where Dewey’s body was found. Andersen and two others in the home were interviewed but only Andersen has been arrested.

ISP Captain Richard Wilk says they also took in evidence from the house. Investigators are still seeking information on Deb Dewey’s death. If you have information, call 815-223-3100.

Woman with disabilities reported missing in Morris

The same day it was confirmed Deborah Dewey was no longer missing, the Morris Police Department announced they were looking for a missing woman.

They’re trying to find 33-year-old Sarah Morrison of Morris. She’s considered to be a missing person with disabilities.

Morrison was last seen Saturday at her home on the east side of Morris. She left in her white, 2013 white, 4-door Suzuki. Officers think she was headed south.

If you have any information, call the Morris P.D. For a picture of Morrison, go to the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO Facebook page.

Ruckus at Sandwich Fair has two women facing mob action charges

A disagreement about cutting in line led to a vicious fight at the Sandwich Fair.

Back on Sunday afternoon, deputies were called to the fairgrounds about a fight. Twenty-six-year-old Fabiola Delgado of Aurora and a 16-year-old girl who is a relative are accused of attacking another girl. Their victim was checked out at Valley West Hospital. Delgado and her alleged accomplice are charged with two counts of battery, aggravated battery and mob action.

Deputies think the fight started after an argument about cutting in line at the fair ticket window.