Man charged with armed robbery of Carrier Mills Casey's

At 5:56 a.m. Sunday, an armed robbery occurred at the Casey's General Store, located at 6644 U.S. Highway 45 in Carrier Mills.

By 7 a.m. Carrier Mills Police had arrested Thomas Eugene Sanders, 40, 426 E. East End St., Carrier Mills, on charges of failure to appear, burglary, aggravated robbery, theft over $500 and aggravated unlawful restraint. He remained held Monday morning at the Saline County Detention Center awaiting a court appearance.

An employee called 911 and reported that the store had just been robbed at gunpoint, according to Carrier Mills Police Chief Chuck Rubright.

A male had entered the store with his shirt pulled over his face, displayed a handgun and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, Rubright said.

The employee was able to provide a detailed description of the male and his clothing to the police.

Officers from the Carrier Mills and Harrisburg police departments as well as the Illinois State Police responded, saturating the area. An officer in the area observed a male walking on East Walnut Street and the male fled when he saw the officer. Police pursued the male to a residence on East Walnut Street where he was taken into custody. No injuries were reported in the incident.

"This is rural policing 101," said Carrier Mills Police Chief Chuck Rubright adding, "It takes everyone cooperating to achieve results."

Officers from the Illinois State Police Crime Service Section are assisting in the investigation.