Using both social media and broadcast media the word got out that someone was stealing valuable copper and other materials from the former Ursuline Academy Music Conservatory.
The Tony Libri family has been painstakingly restoring the building but a rash of thefts, breakings and vandalisms is making a tough job tougher.
The family reached out to the community for assistance and late yesterday the Springfield police issued this bulletin through their Facebook page.
“The picture of the subject circulating on social media, regarding the criminal damage and theft of copper from Benedictine, has been arrested.
John R. Cheek (male, 53 of Springfield) was arrested today by Springfield Police in the area of 8th and Converse. This arrest can be attributed to the community sharing information including the photo of the suspect who was identified with the help of Crime Stoppers.
Cheek was interviewed by detectives and arrested for felony criminal damage and theft, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently at the Sangamon County Jail.
Thank you to everyone who assisted making this arrest possible!!”