A Chicago man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for helping steal over a dozen high-end cars, worth over $1.2 million, from car dealerships in Crystal Lake and Woodstock.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Richard Neumann said numerous vehicles were stolen from a car dealership in the 600 block of West Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake on July 11, 2021, and August 23, 2021.
The suspects were able to use reprogrammed ignition keys to steal several vehicles on the property during the July 11 incident, Neumann said.
Court documents show a 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat and 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat were stolen during the July 11 incident.
The three cars, which had a total value of $229,999, were stolen from Brilliance Honda, located at 680 West Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake.
During the August 23 incident, the suspects forced entry to the same car dealership, obtained the keys to additional vehicles on the property and stole them, Neumann said.
Court documents show a 2018 BMW M5, 2016 BMW X6, 2018 BMW M550, 2018 BMW 540, 2018 Audi S6, 2019 Audi Q8, 2015 Audi A8, 2016 Audi RS7, 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE and 2011 Cadillac CTS-V were all stolen during the August 23 incident.
The 10 cars stolen on August 23 had a total value of $631,000. Both incidents occurred during the overnight hours.
In total, 13 vehicles with a total value of $860,999 were stolen from the dealership, court documents show.
Neumann said that forensic evidence was collected that connected Joshua Smith, 25, of Chicago, to both incidents.
An arrest warrant was issued for Smith in March 2022 charging him with 16 counts of theft, ranging from Class 1 and Class 2 felonies, and one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Smith in January 2022 charging him with theft over $100,000, vehicle theft conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary and criminal damage to property.
Those charges stemmed from a January 4, 2022, burglary and theft at Kunes Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram, 1790 South Eastwood Drive in Woodstock.
Smith entered the property and actively took part in the burglary, damage and theft of five new and used cars, according to a criminal complaint. Five others also participated.
The stolen vehicles included a 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, a 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, a 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody, a 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody and a 2019 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Plus.
The vehicles had a combined value of $360,000. A biometric locked key box was damaged and 24 keys were stolen.
The suspects also attempted to steal five other vehicles from the dealership.
Court records show Smith pleaded guilty last week to one count of theft over $100,000, a Class 1 felony, and one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony. The rest of his charges were dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea agreement and sentenced Smith to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the agreement.
The sentence will be served at 50% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines. Smith will receive 1,058 days of credit for time served in custody awaiting trial.