Local Man Arrested for Armed Robbery at Effingham Motel

20-year-old Nicholas A. Courtright charged with Class X felony after allegedly holding up hotel employee at knifepoint

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A 20-year-old Effingham man named Nicholas A. Courtright has been arrested and charged with armed robbery and criminal trespass after allegedly holding up a Days Inn motel employee at knifepoint and stealing the cash drawer, which contained an undetermined amount of cash. Effingham police responded quickly, utilized various technologies like video surveillance and a police drone to track and locate the suspect, and apprehended Courtright without further incident.

Why it matters

Armed robberies at local businesses are a serious concern for community safety, and this incident highlights the importance of strong police-community partnerships and the strategic use of technology to rapidly respond to and resolve such threats. The cooperation between Effingham police and other law enforcement agencies was crucial in this case.

The details

According to the report, Courtright allegedly entered the Days Inn motel around 10:35pm on Tuesday, armed with a knife, and demanded the cash drawer from an employee. After obtaining the drawer, which contained an undetermined amount of cash, Courtright fled the scene. Effingham police arrived quickly, reviewed surveillance footage, deployed a K9 unit, and utilized a drone operated by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office to track and locate Courtright in a makeshift encampment behind a local business, where he was arrested without further incident.

  • The incident occurred around 10:35pm on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Effingham police responded to the 911 call within minutes.
  • Courtright's initial court appearance will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Nicholas A. Courtright

A 20-year-old Effingham resident who has been charged with armed robbery, a Class X felony, and criminal trespass to real property.

Effingham Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the 911 call, utilized various technologies to track and locate the suspect, and made the arrest.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office

Provided a drone that assisted Effingham police in locating the suspect in a wooded area behind a local business.

Illinois State Police

Troopers from the state police force assisted Effingham police in apprehending the suspect.

Kurt Davis

The Effingham Police Chief who praised the cooperation between agencies and the use of technology in this incident.

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What they’re saying

“I'm proud of the work our officers, alongside our partner agencies, did to safely apprehend this suspect. In a small community like ours, teamwork and strong relationships make all the difference, and that was clearly demonstrated here. The use of a variety of tools and technology such as video surveillance, Police K9, and a drone helped us track and locate the suspect rapidly. Utilizing all available tools at our disposal allows us to keep the public as well as officers safer.”

— Kurt Davis, Effingham Police Chief

What’s next

Courtright's initial court appearance will be held on Thursday to determine eligibility for continued detention under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. Effingham police have indicated their support for detaining Courtright due to his alleged use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the robbery.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of strong police-community partnerships and the strategic use of technology in responding to and resolving serious threats to public safety. The collaborative efforts of Effingham police and other law enforcement agencies led to a swift apprehension of the suspect without further incident, highlighting the benefits of utilizing all available resources to protect the community.