Elgin teen charged with crashing stolen car

A man who agreed to drive a friend of a friend into Chicago on Sunday morning discovered that no good deed goes unpunished after he stopped for gas and his passenger drove off in his car, said Cook County prosecutors Monday.

That car was later involved in an accident in Hanover Park, leading to charges of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanor reckless driving for Jeremy Jones, an 18-year-old Elgin man.

Jones, of the 300 block of Washington St., gave the owner of the car $20 when they stopped for gas Sunday, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Walsh. After the owner exited the car to fill up the tank, Jones drove off, Walsh said.

The owner called police and described the car and the defendant.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m., the stolen car hit two other vehicles — one of which was occupied — at the corner of Lake and Church streets in Hanover Park, Walsh said. The occupant of the car that was hit called police while Jones took off running, Walsh said.

Hanover Park police arrested Jones, who was identified by the owner of the car and the crash victim, Walsh said.

A Cook County judge set bail at $50,000 for Jones, who has no adult criminal background.

He next appears in court on Aug. 18.