Arlington Heights man sentenced to prison for 2011 car break-ins

An Arlington Heights man received a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty Thursday to breaking into several cars in Arlington Heights and stealing a man's identity during a 2011 mini crime spree.

“I know what I did was wrong,” apologized Terrance Walker, of the 4000 block of Bonhill Drive.

Cook County Judge Kay Hanlon sentenced the 28-year-old to nine years in prison, citing his criminal background.

On July 26, 2011, video showed Walker using another man's identity and social security number to finance a vehicle he bought from a Chicago General Motors dealership, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Shilpa Patel.

Four days later, Walker entered a vehicle located in the 900 block of West Dundee Avenue in Arlington Heights through an open window, took the victim's purse and used a credit card to pay for a car wash, Patel said.

On Aug. 6, 2011, Walker broke into another vehicle in the 3700 block of North Wilke Road in Arlington Heights, Patel said. He again used a credit card he took from the woman's purse to purchase a car wash.

Walker used an unlocked door to get into another car in the 4200 block of Bloomingdale Road in Arlington Heights on Aug. 18, 2011, Patel said. That time, Walker took a purse and used the credit cards to make purchases at a convenience store, Patel said.

Video at the car wash sites and the store showed the defendant making purchases, prosecutors said.

Walker received credit for the 660 days he has spent at Cook County Jail since his arrest. He must complete at least 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.