Police say they have identified and arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly stole a car from a restaurant and crashed into the back of a residence in Wauconda Monday.
The Wauconda Police Department responded around 4:52 p.m. Monday to Raul’s Burrito Express, 112 East Liberty Street in Wauconda.
Officers received a call that a vehicle had been stolen from the restaurant’s parking lot.
The black 2011 Chevrolet Impala was parked with its keys left inside, police said.
Video surveillance showed a male white, 20-30 years old, entering the Chevrolet.
The suspect fled in the stolen Chevrolet eastbound on Kimball Avenue from the scene, police said.
Patrol officers later located the stolen vehicle unoccupied.
The Chevrolet had crashed into the back of a residence in the 200 block of Lotus Avenue.
The police department said on social media they were seeking the help of the community to identify the car thief.
Wauconda Chief of Police David Wermes said Tuesday evening that the community’s help led to the identification of the suspect.
Chase C. Willoughby, 23, of Wauconda, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving, theft, retail theft, driving on a suspended driver’s license and leaving the scene of a crash.
“On several occasions, the Wauconda Police Department has reached out to our community requesting assistance with locating or identifying a suspect or suspect vehicle. Every time we have reached out, our community has come through and assisted with those identifications,” Wermes said.
“In all of my years in law enforcement, I have never experienced such an amazing police/community relationship,” Wermes added.
Investigators learned also during their investigation that Willoughby committed two additional thefts in Wauconda.