2 people charged with vehicle theft in multiple Illinois counties

KNOX Co., Illinois (KWQC) – Deputies say two men accused of stealing multiple vehicles in Knox County are also connected to stealing vehicles in other Illinois counties.

David Hammack, 35, and Sara Becker, 43, are charged in Knox County with three counts of vehicle theft, fleeing an officer, arson, injury to personal property and possession of methamphetamine.

On Oct. 20, deputies say they received a report of a side-by-side stolen item near Gilson. The next day, deputies attempted to stop siding traffic through the cornfield.

On October 22, deputies responded to Illinois Route 97/Knox Road 300 N for a vehicle fire in a field. Deputies said the vehicle was determined to have been stolen side by side from Gilson.

That same day, the sheriff’s office received a report of a truck and trailer stolen from Maquon. The truck and trailer were spotted on FLOCK cameras at 5:28 a.m. near Canton and at 4:14 p.m. on Oct. 23 near East Peoria.

On Oct. 24, Knox County detectives contacted the East Peoria and Canton police departments to assist in the search for the stolen truck and trailer.

East Peoria police found the stolen vehicle in front of a residence in Peoria. While police officers stopped traffic and abandoned the vehicle, a person was seen running away from the driver’s seat.

The vehicle was determined to be a stolen vehicle and police interviewed people in the neighborhood to obtain possible video evidence. A citizen was able to provide video in which two suspects were observed and identified by Knox County Detectives.

On October 25, the suspects were taken into custody on local charges in McDonough County and were found with another stolen vehicle and trailer.

After Knox County detectives conducted interviews, deputies said it was determined that Hammack and Becker had stolen a vehicle in Fulton County, a vehicle in Whiteside County, a side-by-side motorhome in Knox County, and a truck and trailer.

Deputies said they also had methamphetamine in their possession.

They added that all the stolen goods were recovered.

Hammack and Becker were transported to the Knox County Jail.

The McDonough County Sheriff’s Office, Canton police, East Peoria police and Peoria police assisted in the arrest.