By KANDACE MCCOY
kandace.mccoy@register-news.com
CHRISTOPHER — Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch assisted in convincing a former Mt. Vernon resident to surrender to authorities following a three-hour standoff Monday night.
Bernard Flerage, 62, of the 800 block of South Snider Street, turned himself in to police at about 9:30 p.m. Monday night at his residence, according to Illinois State Police District Commander Capt. Michael Irwin. The standoff began after the Christopher Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 6:30 p.m. of gunshots being fired near Flerage’s home, which is about two blocks south of Christopher Elementary School. When officers arrived at the scene, two gentlemen who had arrived at the residence to repossess a truck stated Flerage came out of his home with a weapon, fired rounds in the air and threatened them, Irwin reported.
He said Flerage was in his home when police arrived and also made threats to the Christopher Police Department and “was upset about the situation.” However, as officials attempted to negotiate with Flerage, he personally asked for Mulch, Irwin said.
“(Flerage) had apparently lived in Mt. Vernon at one time and had some dealings with Mulch and asked to deal with him,” Irwin said. “Mulch came in and talked to the gentleman for a while and he surrendered without incident.”
Mulch confirmed he received a call from the Christoper Police Department requesting his assistance with the standoff.
“The important thing is, I went down to help Christopher so no one got hurt and there was a peaceful resolution,” he said. “They called for my assistance and I helped with whatever I could.”
After turning himself in, Flerage was transported to the VA Hospital in Marion at his request for medical treatment, according to the Benton Evening News. Flerage was alone at the time of the standoff, Irwin said, and no other injuries were reported.
Other agencies responding to the incident included the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Williamson County K-9 Units, Sesser, Royalton and Zeigler police departments and ISP crime scene investigations and negotiators.
The incident is still under investigation by the ISP and the Christopher Police Department.
Editor’s Note: Diana Winson of the Benton Evening News contributed to this report.
