Sailors deny hijacking taxi

A pair of Great Lakes sailors pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges they hijacked a cab they were riding in as passengers.

Terry Gappa, 20 and Aaron Couch, 21, are charged with vehicle theft, assault, theft of services and criminal damage to property in the May 26 incident.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Victor O'Block said Gappa, of Plymouth, Mass., and Couch, of Monroe, La., hailed the cab near Union Station in Chicago.

Facing a fare of more than $100 when they reached the base in North Chicago, the pair threatened to kill the cabbie if he did not allow them to drive.

The sailors exchanged seats with the cabbie, O'Block said, and began to drive north toward Gurnee.

The cabdriver jumped from the vehicle when it slowed near Hunt Club and Stearns School roads, and ran to a house to call police.

A short time later, Lake County sheriff's police received a report of a vehicle engulfed in flames just north of Hunt Club and Wadsworth roads, and discovered it was the stolen cab.

Gappa and Couch were found walking a short distance from the cab, and admitted their involvement in the incident.

Associate Judge Daniel Shanes told the pair they face up to seven years in prison if convicted, and scheduled a trial for Aug. 18.

The pair, who are in confinement on the Naval base, are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 4.