The owner of commercial real estate in Edgemont is suing four Illinois companies, alleging unauthorized use of a portion of his property caused damages and loss of business.
Tyler Davis filed the suit Dec. 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ameren Illinois Company of Springfield, L. Keeley Construction Co. of Sauget, Upchurch Oil and Ready Mix Concrete of Belleville and J.F. Electric Inc. of Edwardsville.
The complaint states Davis' property, located at 7610 State St. in Edgemont, has been improved with an asphalt parking lot, concrete sidewalks and carports he had erected to rent to flea market vendors and has an easement that is approximately 15 feet wide.
Beginning in 2015, the suit says, employees of the defendants began driving over and parking on his property without his permission. After he became aware of the situation, the plaintiff says he spoke with the employees, asking them to restrict their activities to the easement.
However, the suit says, the defendants' employees ignored Davis, and the asphalt, parking lots, sidewalks and parking blocks have been moved and damaged, landscaping has been damaged and the plaintiff has lost rental income from vendors he thought would use the property but could not because of the damage.
The plaintiff alleges he confronted an Ameren employee, who displayed a handgun and became belligerent. As a result, Davis alleges he suffered emotional distress.
Because the defendants' conduct was intentional, the suit alleges, the plaintiff seeks punitive damages.
Davis seeks at least $50,000 from each defendant and court costs. He is represented by attorney Matthew J. Marlen of Matthew J. Marlen PC of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-712