FREEBURG, Ill. — A man is facing charges after Freeburg police officers found a woman dead during a wellness check Wednesday night.
According to the Freeburg Police Department, officers discovered the woman dead upon arrival at about 8 p.m. Wednesday near Deerfield Court.
St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified the victim as 55-year-old Linda Waller.
On Friday, Belleville police announced the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office had charged 33-year-old Scottie R. Lambert of Belleville with one count each of first-degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. His bond has been set at $1 million.
Lambert is on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections, the state's attorney's office said. Police are not currently seeking additional suspects.
The Belleville Police Department said in a Thursday statement that it asked Freeburg police to check on Waller after pulling over a man who was driving a vehicle registered in her name.
At about 7 p.m., about an hour before Waller was found dead, Belleville officers on patrol saw a silver Ford F-150 driving on Centreville Avenue. They watched the driver make an improper turn and pulled him over.
They identified the driver and discovered the vehicle didn't belong to him. The man was also acting "extremely nervous," the police department said.
He consented to a search of a vehicle and officers found evidence that led them to believe he might have been involved in a violent crime. They asked Freeburg police to check up on Waller, who was found dead inside her home.
"This is the first (homicide) we've had since the 70's," Stanley Ruhmann, Freeburg Police. "We went over to do a wellbeing check at the residence. When officers arrived the residence was locked but after looking through the window they could see someone inside."
The Freeburg Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the incident, and Belleville detectives assisted.
"This case is yet another illustration of the dangers police officers face every day," Belleville Assistant Chief Mark Heffernan said in the statement. "What appeared to be a simple traffic stop quickly escalated to the arrest of a suspect in a violent murder. The officers who stopped this vehicle should be commended for their proactivity, and their diligence in investigating further."
A neighbor said the tragic incident has increased her awareness.
"I don't know that I'm really scared but it makes you more aware of what's going on in your neighborhood," Donna Walker, a neighbor said.
Detectives from both agencies continue the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Freeburg or Belleville police or CrimeStoppers.
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Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
Better Family Life is a nonprofit community development organization working to "stabilize inner-city neighborhoods." One aspect of its mission is a gun violence de-escalation program.
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has an anti-crime program called “Safety Net for Youth Initiative,” which is a joint partnership with St. Louis Public Schools to provide services to at-risk youth.
Cure Violence is an international organization that has recently launched in a handful of St. Louis neighborhoods. Violence interrupters are trained to de-escalate violent situations within their own communities.