From Police Chief Mike McWilliams:
On 9/25/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Steve R. Jones, age 49, of Lansing Michigan and Matthew T. Wrosch, age 51, of Owosso, Michigan for Disorderly Conduct following an incident at First-Mid Bank. Before the arrest, MCPD received numerous calls from Market Street business employees reporting two white males (above defendants) taking videos from the sidewalk into their respective buildings. One business owner reported the two male subjects entered their building and when asked what he could help them with, noted they asked for $100. The owner declined and the two men left the building as they continued south on Market. Upon reaching the bank, the two males approached the exterior office window and began recording a bank employee. The employee went to the exterior doorway and inquired why they were recording her at work. The two men allegedly made derogatory/verbally abusive statements to the employee. During this same time, one of the men allegedly made a statement about getting a good view of the bank vault. This alarmed bank staff so they contacted the police department with concern of a “casing” of the bank for a potential crime. Officers responded to the scene and made contact. Officers were met with profanity and allegations that their First Amendment Rights (Freedom of Speech) were being violated. Bank management wished to pursue charges and were allowed to do so for the suspect’s behaviors causing bank staff to unknowingly report a suspected bank robbery attempt. Both subjects were taken to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and later released on Notices to Appear.
: The Mt. Carmel Police recognize and respect a citizen’s right to freedom of speech. This arrest was not due to their recording on the street. However, their alleged actions at the bank established probable cause to believe said offense could have been committed. The public is reminded that many of the above defendant's actions were lawful up until that point. It should also be noted that MCPD received a call from someone identified as “good citizen” who claimed his two friends were unlawfully arrested for utilizing their freedom of speech and to expect a large response from his YouTube followers in the future.