Rock Falls residents charged with burglary and drug offenses

Two residents from Rock Falls have been charged in Lee County for burglary and drug-related offenses. The Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a burglary in progress on March 15 in rural Dixon. Witnesses saw two people entering and exiting a garage in that area. The deputies who arrived at the scene arrested Thomas E. Ulve, 46, and Mariann C. Poff, 30. Ulve is facing several charges, including felony burglary, possession of burglary tools, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He also had an outstanding warrant for retail theft in DeKalb County and another for contempt of court in Lee County. Poff is charged similarly, with felony burglary, possession of burglary tools, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. She was also wanted in DuPage County for not appearing in court for a retail theft charge, as well as for retail theft in DeKalb County. Following the Illinois SAFE-T Act, both Ulve and Poff were released from custody after their court dates were set. Ulve's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2 at 8:30 a.m. in Lee County Circuit Court. He has additional hearings for other cases linking him to incidents from earlier this month. Poff's preliminary hearing is at the same time. Both defendants are being represented by the Lee County Public Defender's Office and have requested a speedy trial.