Two cited in mailbox incident
By STU MERRY
The allure of an attractive mailbox, coupled with a grudge over a business deal that turned sour is thought to be the reason two area men are now facing charges in the theft and destruction of a mailbox owned by Bruce and Michelle Rime of rural Garrison.
Charged with criminal mischief and theft of property are Jeff Diffely and Marcus Matthews, both of Garrison. Matthews is a Garrison city council alderman. The two confessed to the wrongdoing during questioning before law enforcement.
According to the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, Rime reported his mailbox had been stolen sometime during the night of May 2. The black mailbox was adorned with a silhouette of an "ape hanger" Harley Davidson motorcycle. At one time, Rime, Diffely and Matthews were members of the Ape Hangers Motorcycle Club of Garrison. But that group has since disbanded due, in part, to disagreements inside the organization.
According to sheriff’s department documents, Matthews admitted being with Diffely when the mailbox was taken.
