After Asking For 'A Light,' Man Smashes Car Windows With Stolen Pruning Shears: Police

MORTON GROVE, IL — A 19-year-old Tennessee man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing pruning shears from a gas station before heading down the block and smashing windows of vehicles at a new car dealership. Jacob W. Woolbright, 19, of the 5202 block of Melanie Creek Drive in Arlington, Tennessee, was arrested Aug. 31 and charged with criminal damage to property, theft and aggravated battery to a police officer, according to police reports.

Police said they were first dispatched to the Mobil Gas Station, 9544 Waukegan Road, for a report of a theft at 3:20 a.m. on Aug. 31. As responding officers were on their way to the location, dispatchers relayed word that a man was smashing car windows at the Audi of Morton Grove dealership at 7000 Gold Road.

Woolbright was found in an open field north of the dealership and taken into custody, police said. He was taken to Lutheran General Hospital.

Police said they spoke with a gas station employee, who informed them Woolbright had entered the Mobil station around 3:17 a.m.

"I just need a light," Woolbright reportedly said, as he reached behind the counter to take a cigarette lighter. He then left the gas station but returned a few minutes later, police were told.

At that point, he threw the lighter and went back into the Mobil station's employee office area and came out with a set of pruning shears, according to police reports.

"Can I borrow this?" he asked. "And I'm going to need that lighter back."

He then left the station and was seen by the clerk head north across the street and enter the Audi parking lot and damage vehicles in the lot with the shears. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Morton Grove — or your Illinois community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Officers assessing the damage learned two Audis had their windows punctured and the management of the dealership wished to press charges.

Police also said they obtained security footage from the gas station and a statement from Woolbright, who they described as "under the influence of something."

_{Top photo via Pixabay}