A Chicago man has been sentenced to five years in prison after prosecutors say he led police on a pursuit before crashing a vehicle that he stole in McHenry County.
Eric Wilson, 28, of Chicago, was charged in indicted in January 2020 on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a converted motor vehicle, theft and burglary.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Wilson burglarized and stole a silver 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo on September 24, 2018, in McHenry County.
The Johnsburg Police Department spotted the stolen Chevrolet the same day and a pursuit ensued when the driver did not stop for officers.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to assist Johnsburg officers.
The stolen vehicle crashed and the driver fled the scene on foot, prosecutors said.
DNA evidence was recovered from the crash site and eyewitness testimony was obtained, leading officers to later identify Wilson as the driver, prosecutors said.
Wilson entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office late last month.
He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, a Class 2 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed, court records show.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis approved the plea and sentenced Wilson to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Wilson will be required to spend a minimum of 12 months on mandatory supervised release upon his release from prison.