(MT. VERNON, IL) — Detectives from the Mt Vernon Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Tuesday in the 1300 block of George Street. The detectives had developed probable cause to arrest two of the occupants of the vehicle in connection with thefts that have occurred in the Jefferson County area. The driver of the vehicle, 18 year old Travonte Cain and his passenger, 19 year old Mikayla Ford, were taken into custody on the theft charges. During a search of the vehicle a loaded, sawed off shotgun was located. Cain was charged with Theft Under $500, Theft Over $500, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Ford was charged with Theft Under $500 with a Prior Conviction, Theft Over $500 with a Prior Conviction, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Firearm without a Valid FOID Card. Cain and Ford were both incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center with bond to be set. These arrests are part of on-going investigations between the Mt Vernon Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department involving burglaries and thefts in the Mt Vernon and Jefferson County area. These investigations are ongoing and additional charges or arrests are expected. Cain and Ford are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.