A Delavan police officer's name has shifted from the department roster to the jail log after authorities in Illinois arrested him Thursday, March 19, on allegations of violating a protection order and committing aggravated stalking. Officer Joshua Bittner was booked into the Winnebago County Jail, and the City of Delavan has placed him on administrative leave while the criminal investigation plays out. Regional officials and local media picked up on the arrest after it appeared in county booking records, as per FOX6 News Milwaukee.
Arrest details
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, the Delavan Police Department notified the station that Bittner had been arrested in Illinois and placed on administrative leave. The station reported that the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office online inmate locator showed Bittner was booked Thursday afternoon on charges that include aggravated stalking and violating a protection order. FOX6 also noted that Bittner has been with the Delavan department since Feb. 6, 2023.
Officer's department record
The City of Delavan police directory lists Joshua Bittner among its current officers and confirms his assignment to the department. The directory also includes contact information for the department and staff. The city has not issued a separate, detailed public statement about the criminal case beyond indicating that Bittner was placed on leave.
Booking and charges
Public booking information maintained by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office shows the county jail in Rockford where the arrest was processed and provides resources for the public to check inmate status. The sheriff's jail pages list booking and records contact numbers, but they did not include a public court date at the time of publication. Local reporting states that Bittner was booked on charges of aggravated stalking and violating a protection order.
Legal implications
Under Illinois law, aggravated stalking is addressed in statute 720 ILCS 5/12-7.4, as compiled by Justia. The law provides that stalking conduct can be elevated to aggravated stalking when it is accompanied by acts such as violating a protection order, and it is prosecuted as a felony. The statute also allows for heightened penalties for repeat convictions and specifically notes that violations of protective orders can be a basis for aggravated charges. At this stage, the counts against Bittner remain allegations that must be proved in court.
What happens next
The case will proceed through Winnebago County's criminal justice system, and Delavan officials say they will cooperate with investigators while Bittner remains on administrative leave. As of publication, officials had not released information about bond or a court date. Readers looking for updates on any future public notices from Delavan city officials can monitor the City of Delavan materials online.
