THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
On Tuesday afternoon, 4/1/2025, around 2:00 p.m., Danville Police Officers received a dispatch of a 911 call stating a subject driving in a blue van pointed a gun at another driver in the area of East W. Newell Ave.
The description of the van and license plate were provided to 911 and officers located the vehicle within minutes, parked at a business in the 2700 block of N. Vermilion Street. Danville Police Officers, with the assistance of the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department, located the driver of the van, and he was arrested at the scene. The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Jesse A. Hammel of Paxton.
Further investigation led officers to find a stolen, loaded firearm. Detectives spoke with Ford County deputies and learned of more charges against Hammel in Ford County, where there was a warrant for his arrest.
Hammel was taken to the Vermilion County Public Safety Building and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and a Ford County Arrest Warrant. This remains an ongoing investigation.
The Danville Police Department reminds the public that all subjects arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you have any further information on this incident, please contact the Danville Police Department at 217-431-2250. The public may also contact Vermilion County Crimestoppers at vccrimestoppers.org or use the mobile app. P3TIPS, or call anonymously to 217-446-TIPS (8477).
