Traffic stop involving Collinsville teen yields Troy Police Officer’s wallet, contents

By Editor | April 22, 2026 |

By Charles Bolinger

Editor • A routine traffic stop in Troy on April 12 became a personal matter for a Troy police officer.

Ofc. Nicholas Elliott, while on patrol in town that day, received a license plate reader (LPR) alert for a blue Toyota RAV4 SUV in the 800 block of Edwardsville Road (Route 162), according to his official incident field report. A computer records check showed the vehicle’s Illinois registration as suspended.

He responded to the area and saw the vehicle in the drive-through lane of the local McDonald’s. He drove past, noticing a young black man in the driver’s seat and a young black female in the front passenger seat.

Moving to the nearby Dairy Queen parking lot, he consulted his computer for a records check of the vehicle’s prior contact history. The results showed that Kenneth P. Kamau, 19, had been stopped in August of 2025 and issued a citation for no insurance. His driver’s license came back suspended. Elliott added that the driver’s license image resembled the man driving the RAV4.

Elliott watched the RAV4 leave McDonald’s and head west on Edwardsville Road. He followed, activating his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the SUV in the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts, near Interstate 55-70.

He exited his squad car, made contact with the RAV4 driver and advised him of the reason for the stop. Elliott requested the driver’s licenses for both people in the RAV4, which they provided. However, valid proof of insurance was not given.

In his squad car, Elliott gave his dispatch driver Kamau’s information along with that of his passenger, Brooke Harris. Kamau’s license was noted as suspended yet again.

Sgt. Austin Cripe and Ofc. Erik Mix arrived to assist. Elliott requested that Kamau exit the vehicle and advised him he was under arrest for driving on a suspended license. Cuffed, Kamau was put into the back of Elliott’s patrol vehicle.

Back at the RAV4, Elliott wrote that he detected the odor of raw cannabis coming from it. He asked Harris to get out of the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was done and it showed:

A blue, white and red glass cannabis pipe on the driver’s floorboard (seized and entered for destruction at Troy Police)
A green and black glass cannabis pipe, located in the vehicle’s center console (seized and entered for destruction)
A blue Rick and Morty cannabis grinder located in the RAV4’s center console (seized and entered for destruction)
Small amount of loose, raw cannabis in the top of the center console armrest (entered into evidence)
About 4.5 grams of raw cannabis found in the front zipper compartment of the black backpack found behind the driver’s seat (entered into evidence)

The biggest find during the stop was a dark blue Ekster, a brand of premium leather smart wallet, in the front center console. It contained the following items belonging to Troy Police Officer Cody Blackburn:

One Troy Illinois Police Department Identification Card
One Illinois Driver’s License
One State of Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID)
One Auxiant Health Insurance card
One Principal Dental Insurance card
One Anthem Amernes Insurance card
One CVS Caremark Insurance prescription card
One Busey Bank Debit Card
One Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Credit Card
One Capitol One Mastercard
One black Ekster rechargeable GPS tracking card

Sgt. Cripe contacted Blackburn and advised him that his wallet had been located. Blackburn was not able to provide any suspect information regarding who took his wallet. He said he does not know Kamau and did not leave his wallet in the RAV4.

Elliott obtained Kamau’s property, seized items and all evidence. He gave Harris her property and released her into the custody of Kamau’s mother. Meanwhile M& M Towing arrived on scene and towed the RAV4 to M&M’s shop.

Kamau was taken to Troy PD and booked per department policy. His mother followed and spoke with Sgt. Cripe. She told him she had contacted their attorney and advised Cripe that the attorney had requested to speak with Kamau before he was questioned.

Cripe relayed that message to Elliott. Cripe then called Kamau’s attorney and gave Kamay the handset. Kamau was not advised of his Miranda Rights and was not asked guilt-seeking questions involving the case.

Kamau received the following citations: driving on a suspended license; unlawful possession of cannabis; operating an uninsured motor vehicle; expired registration; and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration. Elliott advised Kamau of his pre-trial release conditions, which he said he understood and signed.

On April 15, Elliott completed a misdemeanor complaint against Kamau for theft of lost or mislaid property. Kamau has a mandatory court appearance on May 11 at 9 a.m. at the Madison County Courthouse. Officer Blackburn’s property was secured in a locker at the Troy PD.