Drunk Wisconsin Man Steals Wheels, Crashes Into Semi: Police

LAKE BLUFF, IL — A Milwaukee man stole wheels and tires from cars parked at the Lake Bluff Metra station before getting into a drunken traffic crash in Highland Park early Thursday morning, police said.

Francisco J. DeJesus-Rivera, 28, of the 3700 block of 61st Street, Milwaukee, has been charged with theft, criminal damage, driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident and driving in the wrong lane, according to police in both towns.

Around 1 a.m., DeJesus-Rivera crashed into a semi-truck after he turned left into oncoming traffic in the wrong lanes of Route 41, police said. The crash took place north of Half Day Road in the 2700 block of Skokie Valley Road, according to Highland Park Deputy Chief Tim Wilinski.

A witness told police he fled the scene on foot and provided a description, Wilinski said. Officers began searching the area with the help of a K9 Odin from the Bannockburn police department.

They eventually found DeJesus-Rivera. Police said he smelled of alcohol and appeared to be drunk. He refused a field sobriety test.

Before the crash, police believe the Wisconsin resident was up in Lake Bluff stealing car parts.

While he was being processed by Highland Park police, Lake Bluff officers on patrol around 1:30 a.m. discovered three vehicles had been tampered with in the parking lot at the 600 N. Sheridan Rd. station, police said.

Wheels and tires had been stolen from two of them, including a Lexus sedan. Someone also apparently unsuccessfully tried to steal the rear-mounted wheel from a Honda, according to Lake Bluff Deputy Chief Matt Smizinski.

Police began investigating and collecting evidence from the scene. They broadcast a description of the crime to neighboring departments, according to Chief David Belmonte.

Highland Park police, who were already processing DeJesus-Rivera, called Lake Bluff police, and notified them of his arrest. Lake Bluff police said loose tires and wheels found inside his vehicle after the crash were matched to the cars at the train station.

DeJesus-Rivera was interviewed by police later Thursday morning and confessed to the thefts in Lake Bluff, according to Belmonte.

His next court date has been set for Dec. 22 in Waukegan.

_{Top photo: Francisco J. DeJesus-Rivera booking photograph | Lake Bluff PD}