Four Individuals Charged in Theft of Historic St. Francis Statue

ALTON, IL — The Alton Police Department announces that four individuals have been charged in connection with the theft of a historic St. Francis statue from the garden at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on September 13, 2026.

Following an investigation by the Alton Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office, led by Tom Haine, filed the following felony charges:

Latisha L. Conner, 35, of Alton, Illinois, was charged with one count of Theft Over $10,000, a Class 1 felony.

Justin A. Hogue, 35, of Alton, Illinois, was charged with one count of Theft Over $10,000, a Class 1 felony.

Sydney D. White, 30, of Staunton, Illinois, was charged with one count of Theft Over $10,000, a Class 1 felony.

Timothy A. Rodgers, 41, of Alton, Illinois, was charged with one count of Theft, a Class 4 felony.

Following their arrests, a judge ordered all four individuals released subject to conditions of release pursuant to the SAFE-T Act. None of the individuals are currently in custody.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Alton Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division at 618-463-3505, ext. 635.

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.