From the McHenry County State’s Attorney:
GPS-TRACKED STOLEN DODGE DURANGO RECOVERED IN CRYSTAL LAKE; DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that Wayne Mikulski, 46, of Monroe Center, Illinois, has been sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Judge Mark R. Gerhardt after pleading guilty to the offense of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, a Class 2 felony.
On May 24, 2025, officers with the Crystal Lake Police Department received information from the Chicago Police Department regarding the location of a stolen 2025 Dodge Durango.
The vehicle, which had been reported stolen, was being tracked through GPS and was in the parking lot of Best Buy in Crystal Lake.
Upon arrival, responding officers observed a female occupant seated in the passenger seat of the stolen vehicle.
The driver’s seat was unoccupied.
While officers were investigating, Mikulski exited the Best Buy store and observed law enforcement officers near the vehicle.
He immediately attempted to flee the scene but was quickly apprehended by officers.
During the arrest, the defendant actively resisted officers’ efforts to place him into custody, injuring three officers before finally being handcuffed.
A subsequent search of the defendant revealed numerous items that did not belong to him, including credit cards issued to other individuals.
Officers also recovered methamphetamine from the defendant’s person.
The investigation established that the defendant was knowingly in possession of the stolen Dodge Durango.
State’s Attorney Freese stated: “As technology evolves, stolen vehicles are increasingly being located through sophisticated GPS tracking systems that provide law enforcement with real-time information.
“In this case, that technology, combined with outstanding police work and interagency cooperation, led directly to the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the apprehension of the defendant.
“Criminals should understand that today’s technology makes it far more likely they will be found, arrested, and prosecuted.”
She also commended the Crystal Lake Police Department and the Chicago Police Department for their coordinated efforts in locating the stolen vehicle and apprehending the offender.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Desiree Sierens.
