Cops: Round Lake woman drives man home from bar, steals his car

A woman on parole is accused of volunteering to drive a man home from a bar, then stealing his car after he exited, Round Lake Park police said.

Linda A. Mayberry, 27, of 1105 Alma Court, Round Lake, was charged with theft of motor vehicle in connection with the Sunday evening incident.

Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said Mayberry was charged Wednesday after denying the theft. She was freed on a $50,000 signature bond after a hearing in Lake County circuit court.

Filenko said the 28-year-old victim was drinking in Copas on Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake when Mayberry overheard him mention he needed a ride home. Filenko said the victim agreed to let Mayberry drive him home in his car.

Mayberry pulled up the driveway and the man exited at his house in the 400 block of Highmoor Drive in Round Lake Park, Filenko said. Then, the woman backed out and took off in the victim's 1997 Mercury Marquis.

Filenko said investigators interviewed employees and patrons at Copas and learned the suspect's first name and her wireless telephone number Monday. He said police obtained a picture of Mayberry, who the victim identified as the woman who stole his car.

Investigators found the victim's Mercury Marquis in an apartment complex parking lot near Washington Street and Route 83 in Grayslake, police said.

Mayberry most recently landed in prison in 2007 for a possession of a controlled substance conviction in Lake County, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. She was paroled in March 21, with discharge set for 2009.