February 11, 2005

Suspect is not an SIUC student Campus police arrest suspect in Cook Co. murder

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale police officers Thursday night (Feb. 10) arrested a Chicago man sought on a Cook County homicide warrant. The suspect is not an SIUC student.

Officers arrested Joe G. Cobbins, 20, at 7:07 p.m. in a parking lot near the Student Recreation Center. He was transported to Jackson County Jail in Murphysboro where he’s still in custody, with bail set at $10,000.

SIUC Public Safety Director Todd D. Sigler said police got a tip Cobbins might be in the area. They found him inside the Student Recreation Center.

Cobbins fled the building when he spotted officers, who nabbed him just outside.

Officers said Cobbins apparently slipped into the building using an SIUC student’s ID card.

Sigler praised the arresting officers for their quick work.

“It’s good, proactive work on the part of the officers to take this information and follow up on it and in the process locate this guy,” he said.

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