Drunken Driver Plows Into Homes, Makes Up Carjacking Story: Cops

WARREN TOWNSHIP, IL --A Warren Township man is accused of spinning an interesting tale to to avoid punishment for driving his car into homes while drunk last week, authorities said. James R. Hilliard, 28, is expected in court this week and faces several felony charges in connection with his arrest in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, according to a Lake County Sheriff's Office news release.

Deputies were first dispatched to a home in the 33000 block of North Evergreen Drive in Warren Township for a report of a suspicious vehicle in the backyard of their home. The resident also said they noticed a man walking nearby.

When authorities arrived, they found a white Ford F350 as well as crash damage in the yard between two homes in the area of North Evergreen Drive and West Timber Lane, according to the news release. Police said both homes had damage after the Ford F350 apparently hit the residences.

Around the same time, when police were searching for the driver, dispatchers received a call from Hilliard. Hilliard told authorities his Ford F350 had been "carjacked" and stolen from a Warren Township bar, according to the news release.

Police met with Hilliard at a nearby home. During their investigation, they determined Hilliard had been driving the white Ford F350 when it struck the residences on North Evergreen Drive and West Timber Lane. He then fled the scene after the crash and made up the story about the carjacking, according to the news release.

Hilliard has been charged with criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct-false report of an offense, driving under the influence of alcohol, unlawful possession of marijuana and illegal transportation of alcohol as well as numerous other traffic offenses.

Hilliard was released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10 percent of his $20,000 bail.

He is expected in court at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18.

PHOTO CAPTION: JAMES HILLIARD/PHOTO CREDIT: LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE