Newton Man Arrested for Alleged Role in Two Vehicle Thefts

A Newton man is in custody after being arrested for allegedly stealing two vehicles Friday.

34-year-old David Bergbower is accused of stealing a vehicle in Wheeler and taking that vehicle to St. Aloysius Catholic Church at Bishop Creek, then taking another vehicle. Effingham County Sheriff's Office deputies, Effingham City Police officers, and Illinois State Police troopers were involved in the pursuit. Officers say when Bergbower saw a sheriff's office squad car at the Dieterich/Clay City blacktop at 700th Avenue, he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a cornfield. In addition to law enforcement officers, members of the general public who live in the area of the incident joined in the search. 

Bergbower was apprehended about 4pm, some three hours after the incident began. No one was injured.

Bergbower was taken to Effingham County Jail.