Liquid Meth Forces Evacuation of Apartment Building

A bottle of liquid methamphetamine found during a Friday night traffic stop forced the evacuation of a Wilmington apartment building, police said.

A state agent took four hours to stabilize and remove the potentially volatile substance — and process the crime scene — after the meth was found about 9 p.m. in a vehicle pulled over in a North Water Street alley.

Police Officer Justin Dole reportedly stopped the car for a traffic violation and learned the driver, 27-year-old Benjamin Hoover, had a suspended license.

“While speaking with the passenger in the vehicle, Mala Diloreto, 29, Officers Kris Hopper and Bryan Adams learned that a plastic bottle on the front floor of the vehicle contained liquid methamphetamine,” police said. “What followed was a four-hour event that included a process to ensure the safety of the officers, residents, and nearby businesses.”

Police Sgt. Adam Zink called for assistance from the Illinois State Police Meth Response Unit and residents from a nearby apartment building were evacuated.

Hoover and Diloreto both live in the evacuated building.
An agent from the Meth Unit donned a protective hazardous materials suit and respirator and spent hours stabilizing the substance. Wilmington Firefighters stood by to assist in case of explosion or fire.

Hoover and Diloreto were both arrested and taken to the Will County jail.