Sailors guilty in cab incident

A pair of Great Lakes Naval Training Center sailors charged with stealing and destroying a cab they were riding in pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Tuesday.

Terry Gappa and Aaron Couch, both 21, pleaded guilty to criminal trespass to a motor vehicle during a hearing in Lake County Circuit Court.

Gappa, of Plymouth, Mass., and Couch, of Monroe, La., hailed the cab near Union Station in Chicago on May 26 for a ride back to the base in North Chicago.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Victor O'Block said the pair ordered the cabdriver to let them drive when they neared the North Chicago base, rather than face a fare of more than $100. The sailors exchanged seats with the cabbie and drove north to Gurnee, and the cabdriver jumped out when the vehicle slowed near Hunt Club and Stearns School roads.

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 the missing cab.

Gappa and Couch were found walking a short distance from the cab and were arrested.

They were originally charged with vehicle theft, assault, theft of services and criminal damage to property.

O'Block agreed to drop or consolidate those charges into the lesser offense in exchange for the guilty plea.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti sentenced the pair to two years probation and ordered them to pay $12,000 in restitution.

O'Block said Navy officials are still reviewing the case and have not decided if the two will be allowed to remain in the service.