Motorist accused of trying to chop down utility pole, knocking down barricades
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<p align="justify">A Blandinsville man allegedly tried to chop down a utility pole with an ax and ran over 17 lighted construction barricades while driving drunk.
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<p align="justify">Brandon Gebhardt, 18, was charged Thursday in McDonough County with felony counts of possession of a firearm with a revoked Firearm Owners Identification Card, unlawful possession of firearms and criminal damage to property over $300 as well as lesser counts of possession of a firearm without a FOID card, possession of ammunition without a FOID card, driving under the influence of alcohol, unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal transportation of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, disobeying a traffic control device, no registration light and improper turn signal.
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<p align="justify">Assistant State's Attorney John Melidis said Gebhardt's blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest was .113 percent. The legal limit for driving in Illinois is .08 percent.
<p align="justify">Sheriff Rick VanBrooker said a deputy began following Gebhardt early Thursday in Tennessee for running a stop sign.
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<p align="justify">The deputy then was notified by radio the same truck was wanted in Hancock County, where police received reports that two people tried to chop down a utility pole.
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<p align="justify">Police said they found a .22-caliber pistol and open alcohol in Gebhardt's pickup. Reports did not say if they found an ax.
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<p align="justify">When police stopped Gebhardt, they learned he had just dropped off Benjamin Seaver, 20, of Tennessee. Seaver was charged in McDonough County with possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor and released on bond.
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<p align="justify">After learning someone had run over 17 lighted construction barricades on U.S. Route 136 near Tennessee, deputies matched pieces found at that scene with some missing from Gebhardt's truck.
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<p align="justify">Prosecutors said Gebhardt has a record in juvenile court for killing farm animals.
<p align="justify">He and two other teens were arrested in 2005 for shooting three cows in the head at close range with a .22-caliber rifle. The animals were found dead in rural Colchester and Plymouth.
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<p align="justify">Gebhardt had not been charged Thursday in Hancock County. He is in the McDonough County Jail on $30,000 bond.
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<p align="justify">His only remark in court Thursday was to ask that his bond be no higher than $10,000.
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<p align="center">Reach Journal Star reporter Jodi Pospeschil at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
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