Police: Antioch dealership targeted by car thieves

A crew of seven Chicago men was caught attempting to steal multiple new vehicles from an Antioch car dealership during the early morning hours Monday, police announced today.

The men, all in their 20s, were arrested in a cooperative effort by seven enforcement agencies a few blocks from the Antioch Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 105 W. Route 173, at 3:30 a.m., according to police.

The crew smashed a window at the dealership and stole keys for a number of new vehicles and were waiting a distance from the business to make sure the coast was clear, said Antioch Police Chief Craig Somerville.

“We think they were waiting to see if the alarm was going to go off,” Somerville said.

As the men were returning to their Cadillac Escalades near from the dealership, police arrived and arrested them, officials said.

Police think the crew planned to head back and steal the vehicles.

Each man was charged with burglary, vehicle theft conspiracy and theft.

Gerald Washington, 20, Robert McIntosh, 21, Douglas Barrow, 28, Darres Winton, 21, Vincent Campbell, 26, Gregory Williamson, 20, and Rafel Johnson, 20, were all being held at the Lake County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The arrests were part of a joint effort by the Antioch Police Department and Illinois State Police Kane/Cook Auto Task Force with assistance from the Lake County sheriff's office, Elgin, Crystal Lake and Kenosha City police departments and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further details with be available at the conclusion of the case, according to police.

“Multiagency cooperation led to these arrests, and Investigators worked swiftly on apprehending the offenders — supported by a team of tireless law enforcement professionals,” said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Bruce Johnson.