DNA evidence leads to arrest of Quincy man in connection with 2025 Hy-Vee gas station armed robbery

DNA evidence from the state crime lab led to the arrest of 28-year-old Zachery Shelton for a 2025 gas station robbery in Quincy. Read the case details here.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 11:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WGEM News and the Quincy Police Department

Forensic Breakthrough in 2025 Cold Case

A long-term investigation into a local armed robbery has culminated in a significant arrest. Quincy Chief of Police Adam Yates announced that Zachery Shelton was taken into custody on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The breakthrough in the case was a mechanical necessity provided by the Illinois State Police crime lab, which processed forensic evidence collected at the scene of the 2025 crime. The testing results directly linked Shelton to the incident, allowing detectives to secure an arrest warrant more than 14 months after the initial report.

The January 2025 Incident

The robbery took place at 4:18 p.m. on January 9, 2025, at the Hy-Vee gas station located at 1400 Harrison St. According to police records, a male suspect entered the establishment and confronted an employee. The individual displayed a weapon and demanded money. After being handed an unspecified amount of cash, the suspect fled the scene on foot. At the time of the incident, Quincy officers conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, but no immediate arrests were made.

Legal Charges and Detention

Shelton, a resident of Quincy, has been formally charged in connection with the armed robbery. No injuries were reported during the original encounter, but the use of a weapon elevates the severity of the felony charges. Shelton is currently being lodged at the Adams County Jail. A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 13, where a judge will determine if he will remain in custody pending trial or be eligible for pretrial release under current Illinois statutes.