Enlarge FBI Police arrested suspected killer Nicholas Sheley in a bar outside St. Louis Tuesday night. Police believe the ex-convict killed eight people in two states. Enlarge By Zia Nizami, The Belleville News-Democrat/AP Bindy's bar in Granite City, Ill., where police and FBI agents arrested murder suspect Nicholas Sheley Tuesday night. GRANITE CITY, Ill. (AP)  An ex-convict suspected in a grisly killing spree that left eight people in two states dead within a matter of days was well known to his hometown police department, but the chief said Wednesday he never expected Nicholas T. Sheley would take a violent turn. "Nothing would have made us suspect that something like this would happen," Sterling Police Chief Ron Potthoff said. "But...he was becoming more and more noticeable to the officers." Potthoff said Sheley, 28, had been arrested since he was a juvenile. The crimes progressed from marijuana possession to domestic battery, resisting a peace officer and even aggravated battery — but nothing Potthoff thought would indicate a violent crime spree. VIDEO: Account of Sheley's visit to bar before arrest So as authorities piece together their case against Sheley, who was arrested without incident Tuesday night outside a Granite City bar, one focus is on determining whether drugs, money or some other motive could have driven the violent rampage "In this day and age drugs are always involved," Sterling Police Chief Ron Potthoff said. "At this point we've got no way of knowing if he was high." The FBI on Tuesday launched a manhunt for Sheley, who they warned should be considered armed and dangerous. Among those authorities believe Sheley killed were a 93-year-old man, a toddler and a couple whose blood-soaked dogs were found roaming a motel parking lot. Sheley has only been charged in the death of two of the eight and other law enforcement agencies have otherwise declined to speculate on a motive for the spree that spanned northwestern Illinois and the St. Louis area. Authorities believed his capture was only a matter of time because of the intense publicity surrounding the case, said Tim Lewis, police chief in the St. Louis suburb of Festus, Mo. Police knew from a number of witness reports that Sheley was in the area, Lewis said. "He was desperate and he gave up without a fight," he said. On Wednesday morning, Sheley was led out of the Granite City police department in an orange jumpsuit, leg shackles and handcuffs. He didn't speak before being driven by Granite City police to the Madison County Jail in nearby Edwardsville and may have an afternoon court appearance, most likely via video-conference, to determine bond issues. A dispatcher with Granite City police said it wasn't known if Sheley has a lawyer. Sheley was arrested around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday while smoking a cigarette outside of Bindy's, a bar in Granite City about 10 miles north of St. Louis, witnesses said. Sheley ordered a glass of water and went to the bathroom before an employee and customer recognized him, bartender Katie Ronk said. The customer, Gary Range, said he left the bar and notified a police officer parked in the lot outside. "I told (the police officer) the description and the officer said, 'That's him.' He got on the radio and eventually there were police all over the place," Range said. Sheley faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and vehicular hijacking in the death of Ronald Randall, whose body was found Monday behind a grocery store in Galesburg, in northwestern Illinois, police said. An autopsy showed the 65-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely on Saturday. Sheley also is charged with murder in the death of 93-year-old Russell Reed in Sterling, according to the Whiteside County State's Attorney. Investigators said Randall, Reed and the other six victims all appeared to have died in the same manner and that evidence linked to Sheley was recovered at each scene. The FBI and Illinois State Police declined to elaborate. Authorities said the killings began with the beating death of Reed, whose body was found stuffed in the trunk of a car Thursday. Sheley also is from Sterling, a town of 15,000 about 100 miles west of Chicago. On Monday, police discovered the bodies of two men, a woman and a child in an apartment in nearby Rock Falls. Investigators believe they likely died late Saturday or early Sunday. Sheley was acquainted with the male victims, Brock Branson, 29, and Kenneth Ulve Jr., 25, who were both from Rock Falls said Illinois State Police Region Two Commander Mark Maton. The Whiteside County coroner identified the remaining victims as 20-year-old Kilynna Blake, 20, and Dayan Blake, 2, both of Cedar City, Utah. More than 250 miles away, the bodies of Tom and Jill Estes of Sherwood, Ark., were found Monday behind a gas station in Festus, said Lt. Bill Baker of the St. Louis Area Major Case Squad. The couple had checked into a Comfort Inn in Festus on Friday and were last seen late Sunday. Their dogs were found in the hotel parking lot, unharmed but covered with blood. Public records show Sheley has multiple convictions for robbery, drugs and weapons charges and has spent three years in prison. Meanwhile Wednesday, two of Sheley's family members also were being held in Whiteside County on charges connected to Reed's killing. Eric Smith, Sheley's cousin, was being held on $100,000 bond on an obstruction of justice charge. Sheley's brother Josh Sheley was being held on a $750,000 bond and was charged with concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice, according to the state's attorney. Both were scheduled for July 11 court appearances. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more
Nicholas T. Sheley
Following a manhunt in two states, police have arrested Nicholas Troy Sheley whom authorities suspect in eight murders in the United States. The FBI launched the manhunt on Tuesday after four victims were discovered on June 30, 2008.

Sheley was arrested without incident after being recognized in a bar in Granite City, Illinois. Two regular customers, Gary Range and Samantha Butler, and bartender Jennifer Lloyd recognized Sheley who had entered and ordered a glass of water. Range told the Associated Press that he then found a police officer parked nearby.

"I told the police officer the description and the officer said, 'That's him.' He got on the radio and eventually there were police all over the place," Range said.

According to Sgt. Thomas J. Burek, Illinois State Police, the FBI, and the St. Louis Major Crimes Task Force, Sheley was apprehended without a struggle. He was arrested when he stepped out of the bar to have a cigarette and found himself surrounded.

"He was desperate and he gave up without a fight," said Tim Lewis, police chief in Festus, Missouri. "He looks rough. He's had a rough two days."

Sheley is being held at Madison County Jail in Edwardsville. He appeared before County Judge Edward Ferguson and was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and vehicular hijacking in the case of Ronald Randall. The 65-year old victim was beaten to death in Galesburg, Illinois on Saturday and found on Monday. Sheley is being held on US$1 million bail, which he indicated he would be unable to post.

Sheley's cousin, Eric Smith, is being held on obstruction of justice charges, while Sheley's brother, Josh Sheley, is being charged with concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice.

Sheley's wife and uncle have both told reporters that Sheley, 28, is addicted to drugs and alcohol and prone to violence when under the influence of these substances.

Nicholas Sheley will also be charged with the murder of 93-year old Russell Reed in Sterling, Illinois, said the Whiteside County prosecutor. Medical examiners estimate that Reed was killed on June 23.

On Monday, the bodies of Brock Branson, 29, and Kenneth Ulve Jr., 25, of Rock Falls, Illinois along with Kilynna Blake, 20, and Dayan Blake, 2, of Cedar City, Utah were found. Police say that Sheley knew both Branson and Ulwe. The two were found in an apartment in Rock Falls and are believed to have died late Saturday or early Sunday.

Tom and Jill Estes of Sherwood, Arkansas were found in Festus, Missouri at a Comfort Inn, also on Monday. They were found after another guest at the hotel reported two dogs covered in blood in the parking lot. The couple had been visiting the area for a graduation and family reunion. Although 250 miles (400 km) away, this case was linked after Sheley's fingerprints were found in Randall's truck which was abandoned in Festus.

All eight victims succumbed to blunt force trauma.