An Antioch man arrested for stealing a boat near Antioch and trying to sell parts of it told a judge he would return the victim’s boat to him if the judge released him from custody, which the judge refused.
A man reported on October 1 the theft of his 1995 Regal Valanti boat from a business in the 26900 block of West Grass Lake Road in unincorporated Antioch.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the boat, which was on a trailer, was parked outside the business awaiting winterization.
The deputy assigned to the case reviewed footage from nearby Flock Safety cameras and spotted the victim’s trailer being towed by a white GMC pickup truck. The truck’s license plate was not visible.
A marina in the 25500 block of Route 173 in unincorporated Antioch reported a suspicious incident on October 4.
Covelli said a man attempted to sell them an outboard engine for a price far below its market value.
The marina’s surveillance footage was reviewed and the investigating deputy recognized the white GMC pickup from the boat theft.
Covelli said the man selling the engine was identified as Barry J. Hackleman, 54, of Antioch.
The deputy later that evening spotted Hackleman’s pickup driving near Route 173 and 3rd Avenue in unincorporated Antioch.
The deputy made a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop but Hackleman pulled into a nearby business and parked.
Hackleman walked away from his vehicle as the deputy approached and walked toward the deputy, Covelli said.
Deputies discovered the engine from the victim’s stolen boat in the bed of Hackleman’s GMC.
Covelli said Hackleman refused to reveal the location of the victim’s boat when he was questioned.
Sheriff’s deputies checked several locations for the victim’s boat but were unable to locate it.
The victim responded to the scene and recovered his boat’s engine and other property stolen from the boat, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two counts of theft, a Class 3 felony, against Hackleman.
Hackleman was on pre-trial release for battery at the time of the arrest and the state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to revoke his release.
Hackleman appeared in court earlier this week for a hearing on the petition to revoke.
Hackleman represented himself at the hearing and did not seek a court-appointed attorney.
The man told Lake County Judge Ari Fisz that he wished to seek “professional counseling” and get the victim his stolen property returned.
“I can have this gentlemen’s stuff, all of it back, within 24 hours. I don’t know if you can give me a furlough or something like that,” Hackleman said.
Fisz granted the petition to revoke Hackleman’s pre-trial release, meaning he will be held in the Lake County Jail until the case concludes.
The judge said Hackleman has numerous prior cases where he has failed to comply with court orders.