For Immediate Release – Press Release from the Mattoon Police Department
Mattoon PD Make Arrests in Shooting
On Tuesday May 19th at 12:07 a.m. Mattoon police responded to the 700 block of Moultrie Avenue in regards to a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located a 23 year old male victim who had been shot in the torso. The victim explained that his dogs began to bark at midnight so he stepped outside onto his front porch with a baseball bat to investigate. He reported that he was immediately shot by an unknown black male suspect. He was taken to Carle Hospital and will recover. An investigation commenced which led to the following arrests;
Jax B. Prather, age 21 of Mattoon was arrested on May 19th at 3:00 a.m. at the MPD. He was charged with Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver. The charge alleges that Prather had been selling illicit cannabis from the residence in which the shooting occurred. Charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, alleging that Prather was also selling Acid, are pending lab results. Prather is the roommate of the shooting victim. Prather was taken to jail.
Jax B. Prather. Photo submitted by Mattoon Police Department.
On Wednesday May 20th at 1:49 p.m. police arrested Evan T. True, age 20 of Mattoon. True was charged with Attempted Armed Robbery and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Those charges allege that, over the course of a few days, True took part in a plan to rob the victim which also led to said victim being shot, and that he actively participated by driving other suspects to and from the area of the robbery after being assured of some cash proceeds that were to be gained from the robbery. True was taken to the jail.
Evan T. True. Photo submitted by Mattoon Police Department.
Casey L. Perabeau, age 33 of Champaign, was arrested at the MPD on May 20th at 8:15 p.m. He was charged with Attempted Armed Robbery and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. The charges allege that, over the course of a few days, Perabeau planned the robbery, that he took part in the attempted robbery, and that he recruited Eli Haynes and De Andre Bissic to participate, which led to the victim being shot. Perabeau was taken to the jail.
Casey L. Perabeau. Photo submitted by Mattoon Police Department.
Coles County Warrants of Arrest, with zero bond, have been obtained for Eli Haynes III, age 29 of Champaign, and De Andre R. Bissic, age 25 of Champaign for Attempted Armed Robbery and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Those charges allege that Haynes and Bissic participated in the attempted robbery and that one of them shot the victim. Haynes and Bissic are considered to be armed & dangerous.
Eli Haynes III. Photo submitted by Mattoon Police Department.
De Andre R. Bissic. Photo submitted by Mattoon Police Department.
Bissic is also currently wanted in Dupage County for failure to appear (FTA) on a charge of shoplifting, wanted in Will County for FTA on a charge of a traffic offense, FTA in Cook County for Obstructing Police, and wanted in Champaign County for Assault and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Search warrants were obtained and served at five (5) different residences in Mattoon and Champaign over the course of 48 hours. Drugs, drug scales, and over $3,000.00 cash were seized.
Coles County Crimestoppers offer a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this crime. Persons who contact Crimestoppers never have to give their name.
Mattoon police are grateful for the assistance given them by numerous members of the Champaign Police Department during the course of this investigation.
The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
