Centralia man arrested after early-morning disturbances

CENTRALIA, Ill. — Centralia police arrested a 19-year-old man after a series of large early-morning disturbances Saturday in Centralia and nearby Wamac.

Cedric Powe, of the South Brookside area of Centralia, is in custody at the Marion County Jail. He faces allegations of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated assault. The allegations are pending in Marion County circuit court.

Police first responded at about 2:30 a.m. to a report of a large fight and gunshots near the intersection of Howard and Franklin streets.

When officers arrived, police reported that a fast-moving vehicle nearly struck people gathered at the scene. Officials have not said whether the reported gunfire caused injuries or damage.

About an hour later, some of the people involved were believed to have moved to the Industrial parking lot in Wamac. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to reports of another large fight at that location.

Centralia police received a third call about 45 minutes later. Officers responded to the 200 block of Johnson Street, where approximately 40 people had gathered.

There are no reportable injuries following the series of incidents as of Sunday. Formal police incident reports or details have not been released explaining whether Powe’s arrest was tied to the initial Howard and Franklin streets disturbance, the Wamac incident or the later gathering on Johnson Street.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

Website |  + postsBio

Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

• Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

  Harristown under boil order advisory
• Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

  Warren County Sheriff’s report
• Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

  Multiple people injured after Cahokia Heights fire truck rollover crash
• Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

  Extreme Heat Warning in effect for SW Illinois, Metro-East, Eastern Missouri