2 charged with car theft in several Illinois counties

KNOX Co., Ill. (KWQC) – Two people accused of stealing multiple vehicles in Knox County have also been linked to stealing vehicles in other Illinois counties, deputies said.

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

On Oct. 20, officers said they received a report of a stolen side-by-side near Gilson. The next day, officers attempted a traffic stop on the side-by-side, which sped off through a corn field.

On October 22, emergency crews responded to Illinois Route 97/Knox Road 300 N for a vehicle fire in a field. The vehicle was identified as stolen from Gilson, officers said.

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

On October 24, Knox County detectives contacted 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 home in Peoria. A person was seen running from the driver’s seat when officers initiated a traffic stop and abandoned the vehicle.

The vehicle was identified as a stolen vehicle and police spoke to people in the area to obtain possible video evidence. A citizen was able to provide video of two suspects being observed and identified by Knox County detectives.

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

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

They were also in possession of methamphetamine, deputies said.

All stolen property has been recovered, she added.

Hammack and Becker were transported to the Knox County Jail.

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