2 arrested after 6-hour standoff

STERLING – A 6-hour standoff near downtown Sterling ended at 7:15 p.m. Monday with no injuries after police shot tear gas into a home at 905 Second Ave. and found two men huddling in a closet.

Arrested were Joshua J. Sheley, 32, and Matthew L. Simmons, 25, both of Sterling, who were arrested on warrants issued by Whiteside County courts.

Both were taken into custody when a police dog led officers to their doorstep after an attempted armed robbery at a nearby Citgo station at 602 Locust St. around 12:25 p.m.

Sheley, brother of spree killing defendant Nicholas Sheley, and Simmons do not match the description of the robber, police said late Monday. He was arrested, however, on a warrant for failure to appear on an aggravated battery case. His bond was set at $100,000.

Simmons was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation, police said. He was being held Monday night on $20,000 bond.

According to detective Sgt. John Trancoso and Lt. Doug Fargher, events unfolded this way:

Police received a call about an attempted robbery, in which a gunman tried to steal money. Police dogs led officers to the 900 block of Second Avenue, about 4 blocks away.

Police talked to Ana Yazmin Gonzalez, 20, renter of the home at 905 Second Ave. Police believe that Gonzalez is an acquaintance of the two men.

She refused to let them in unless they had a warrant. Occupants of the home also refused to talk with negotiators of the Whiteside County Emergency Response Team.

While police were obtaining a search warrant, the home's owner, Ernie Valladares, 69, popped open a back window to allow access.

The team was able to remove Gonzalez and two children, ages 9
and 11.

Police shot tear gas into the house. No one came out, so police entered and found Sheley and Simmons in a closet, Trancoso said.

Neither man has been charged with the robbery at Citgo, police say.

The incident remained under investigation this morning.

Sauk Valley Newspapers reporter Tara Becker contributed to this story.

To help

The attempted armed robbery of the Citgo station still is under investigation.

Police say the suspect was a white male, possibly in his 20s, with a thin build, and wearing a gray or white hoodie. His face was covered during the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sterling police at 815-632-6640 or the anonymous rewards hotline Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867.