Two Lawrence County men in custody after burglary investigation

Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 1:33 PM

By Steve Anderson

On Tuesday September 8th, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department received a report of a break-in at a residence at 201 West South Avenue in Sumner.

The two male subjects were identified as James Piper and Edward Ragon. On Wednesday, September 9th, law enforcement surveillance was conducted at the property with the assistance of both the Sumner and Bridgeport Police Departments.

Just before 7 p.m., Ragon was spotted leaving the residence on a bicycle. Officers attempted to stop him, but he refused and a short pursuit ensued with resulted in Ragon being arrested a few blocks away.

Piper was later located and arrested without incident and the stolen property was recovered.

Both were preliminarily charged with Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Illinois Felony and Ragon was also charged with Resisting a Police Officer, a Class 1A Misdemeanor. Both subjects were transported to the Richland County Jail in Olney and were being held there pending additional charges and a detention hearing in court.