Parolee Tries to Steal Skid Steer, Backs Truck Into Motel: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — One brazen thief is in custody after he attempted to steal a skid steer and then burglarized vehicles in and around Waukegan in recent days, authorities said Monday. After seeing an uptick in burglaries to vehicles in Beach Park and unincorporated Waukegan, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted surveillance at several locations in the area between July 17 and early on July 20, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Police said David G. Walker, 57, of the 3700 block of Grand Avenue in Gurnee, was spotted trying to take the skid steer from a parking lot in the 35800 block of North Northern Avenue in unincorporated Waukegan at about 3 p.m. on July 18.

He was unable to steal the machinery, police said, and left the property empty-handed.

Authorities then witnessed Walker burglarizing vehicles between 1:30 and 3 a.m. on July 20 in the 1500 block of Wilson Ave. in Waukegan, 1400 block of North Avenue in Waukegan and the 1300 block of North Jackson St. in Waukegan, according to police.

He then drove to a motel in the 600 block of North Green Bay Road in Waukegan where detectives tried to arrest him. As he tried to flee, he backed his 2005 Ford F150 into the motel. Authorities again tried to arrest him and eventually tased Walker and took him into custody, according to a news release.

Walker was taken to the Lake County Jail and has been charged with two counts of burglary, class 2 felonies; three counts of driving while license revoked, class 4 felonies; criminal damage to property, a Class 4 felony; attempt theft, a Class A misdemeanor; and resisting a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor. His bail has been set at $75,000.

Police said all of the items stolen by Walker has been recovered.

Walker is currently on parole for felony theft and felony driving with a revoked driver’s license, however, the Illinois Department of Corrections declined to issue a parole violation warrant for Walker based on his new charges, police said.

Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg offered some tips to area residents for keeping their valuables safe:

• Always lock your vehicle/house doors
• Remove valuables from plain sight
• Utilize exterior lighting
• Consider an alarm/video surveillance system
• Report suspicious activity by dialing 911