Multiple Arrests Made After Burglary at Springfield Scheels

Springfield police have made multiple arrests following a burglary at Scheels.

Officers were called to the store at 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd. around 10:21 p.m. on April 5 after a burglar alarm was triggered. When they arrived, officers found evidence of a break-in and damage to the business. The suspects had already fled.

Police said several firearms and other merchandise were taken during the burglary. Officers developed suspect descriptions and began searching the area.

About an hour later, officers located a person matching one of those descriptions near Ninth and Spruce streets. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Romero Allen, fled but was taken into custody. Police recovered multiple stolen items, including two firearms.

Allen faces several charges, including burglary, theft and multiple weapons-related offenses.

The investigation led to additional arrests the following day. Detectives took three male juveniles into custody in connection with the burglary and recovered five more firearms. Two of the juveniles were charged in connection with the burglary, while a third faces weapons-related charges.

Detectives also arrested 35-year-old Avery Sanders after executing a search warrant. He faces charges including armed habitual criminal, possession of a stolen firearm and drug-related offenses.

In total, police said 14 firearms were recovered during the investigation, including all of the guns reported stolen. Investigators also seized suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine, stolen merchandise and more than $12,000 in cash.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the case.