Pittsfield, Illinois. A suspect thought to be a major player in a multi-state theft ring that stole a large number of off-road vehicles, trailers, and lawn equipment throughout Illinois and Missouri has been apprehended as a result of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department’s investigative efforts.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Department received several reports of stolen property from various places across the county between April 28 and July 22, 2025. Side-by-side utility vehicles, dirt bikes, zero-turn mowers, and utility trailers were among the reported stolen items that were taken from residential and business properties in the Baylis, Barry, Hull, Rockport, Pleasant Hill, and Pittsfield towns.
- Timeline of Key Incidents in Pike County
- April 28, 2025: Kawasaki Mule Pro-FX stolen Baylis, IL
- May 31, 2025: Honda 70 dirt bike stolen Barry, IL
- June 9, 2025: 2023 CF Moto 800 four-wheeler stolen Baylis, IL
- June 11, 2025: 2020 Polaris Ranger stolen Barry, IL
- June 19, 2025: Cub Cadet zero-turn mower stolen Hull, IL
- July 9, 2025: 2011 Polaris Ranger stolen Rockport, IL
- July 19, 2025: Homemade trailer stolen Pleasant Hill, IL
- July 22, 2025: Three zero-turn lawn mowers stolen Pittsfield, IL
Zack Orr, the chief deputy, was tasked with looking into every case. Investigators created leads linking the Pike County incidents to thefts in Piatt, Fayette, Franklin, and Tazewell Counties (Illinois) as well as jurisdictions in Missouri by analyzing electronic evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and coordinating with numerous law enforcement agencies in both Illinois and Missouri. The stolen property was eventually connected to a larger, organized theft scheme through the execution of multiple court-authorized search warrants.
One noteworthy development was the identification of a major suspect because to the information gathered by Illinois State Police Sergeant Bradley Wassell.
Richard A. Wilson, 47, of Springfield, was taken into custody by investigators on August 4, 2025, with the help of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for possession of a stolen motor vehicle in Morgan County, Missouri, and a warrant for theft over $10,000 in Pike County.
Orr carried out a court-authorized search warrant at a home in the 1700 block of East Miller Street in Springfield, Illinois, on August 7 in cooperation with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police. Several electronic gadgets and other evidence thought to have been used in the thefts were found by detectives during the operation.
Orr stressed that the probe is still in progress. The search for stolen material, some of which may have been sold or traded to third parties, is still being conducted in concert by law enforcement agencies. A significant amount of forensic electronic material is presently being examined by investigators.
Orr stated that he had already found a large number of stolen side-by-side utility vehicles by analyzing data from electronic service providers.
In a complicated, multi-jurisdictional investigation, the suspect’s arrest marks a critical turning point, according to Orr. As the investigation progresses, we expect more arrests and charges.
