Rockford residents offer $10,000 reward for arrest of Pinon murder suspect William Jones

ROCKFORD, IL (WTVO) — The City of Rockford has announced that several local business owners are offering a $10,000 bounty for information leading to arrests. William JonesSuspect in Murder of Pinon Meets Employee Peggy Andersonlast month.

Frank Wehrstein of Dickerson Nieman Realtors, Kip Harstfield of Crimson Ridge and Jim Baker of PMI Aerospace are providing rewards.

“This is important as a local business owner and community member to show our support for other businesses in our community,” says Kip. “What happened at the Pinons was a senseless crime that resulted in the death of an innocent woman. We hope the reward incentives will lead to information leading to Jones’ arrest.”

Police said Anderson, 63, died around 3:30 p.m. on the back stairs leading to his second-floor apartment.

Police responded to a 2324 N. Court grocery store for an armed robbery report. When police arrived, they found Anderson lying at the bottom of the stairs.

Authorities say Anderson was mugged by Jones as he was walking down the stairs. During the altercation, Jones allegedly shot Anderson in the chest.

He then fled the scene in her car, leaving it behind in Douglas’ 2000 Block.

A graduate of Auburn High School, Anderson has spent the last 20 years working at Fairview Lanes, Applebees, Olive Gardens and Pinons.

Anyone with information regarding Jones’ whereabouts should contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900, leave an anonymous tip for Rockford Area Climb Stoppers at 815-963-7867, or use the Tip 411 app. You will be asked to contact us via