N. Chicago woman accused in carjacking pleads not guilty
A North Chicago woman has pleaded not guilty to charges she carjacked a vehicle after causing six hit-and-run accidents near Route 132 in Gurnee.
Tiffany R. Thomas, 33, of the 2100 block of Dickey Avenue, faces multiple charges of vehicular hijacking, attempted vehicular hijacking, unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated battery in a public place, theft, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.
She could be sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison if she's found guilty at trial on the most serious charges, authorities said Thursday.
Gurnee Police responded to reports of multiple hit-and-run traffic crashes around Route 132 and Juniper Street about 2:45 p.m. June 5, officials said.
A gold GMC sport utility vehicle was found abandoned with a door open on Route 41 under the Washington Street overpass, authorities said, and several motorists complained the driver had tried to pull them from their vehicles before she entered the passenger side of a blue Toyota and drove away.
Park City police received a call moments later from the Toyota owner who said Thomas had forced her from the vehicle near routes 41 and 120, authorities said. That Toyota was later recovered by police in the 2100 block of Dickey Avenue.
North Chicago Police used the registration of the GMC to pinpoint the theft back to Thomas, authorities said.
Thomas is free from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of her $25,000 bail.
She is due back in court Sept 29 for a case management hearing. Her trial is scheduled for Oct. 27.