On Monday, May 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications received a report of a motorist assist on Cooper Road, near the intersection of Smit Road. The caller reported the individual’s vehicle had been stranded for hours. A Deputy arrived to the location, and spoke with 45-year-old Brandon Swearingen, of Morrison, IL.
Swearingen told Deputies he was unsure of where his vehicle was located, and could not find it. Swearingen was assisted by the on-scene Deputy, attempting to re-trace steps to locate the missing vehicle. Swearingen eventually requested to continue walking on his own to continue looking for the vehicle. The on-scene Deputy continued to search the nearby area for the vehicle, sans-Swearingen. After looking in possible areas reported by Swearingen, and being unable to locate the vehicle, the Deputy cleared the scene.
Approximately an hour later, Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications began receiving calls from subjects in the approximate area Swearingen was looking for his vehicle, reporting a subject was now “acting odd,” and “not aggressive,” but carrying found objects, such as a pipe, asphalt chunks, and rocks. After responding to the location, and speaking with callers, it was learned Swearingen gained entry to an enclosed trailer, in attempt to still locate his vehicle. Further investigation led to finding Swearingen’s vehicle, which was located parked in the grass at the intersection of Lyman Road and Austin Road, next to a downed road sign.
Swearingen was ultimately arrested for Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle, and Assault. He was also cited for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash, and Failure to Report a Crash to Police. Swearingen was issued a Notice to Appear, and released.
Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Illinois State Police, and Erie Police Department.
The public is reminded all charges are merely accusations, and the accused are innocent until proven guilty.