Elgin man busted while trying to steal dream car, police say

An Elgin man who told police his dream car was a red Nissan Altima with a push-button ignition, has been charged with attempting to steal one from a local car dealership, according to police reports.

Carliss D. Henderson, 21, of the first block of Seneca Street, on Monday was charged with burglary, a class two felony, and attempted theft, a class three felony.

According to a police report, Henderson at midnight Sunday made his way to the McGrath Nissan auto dealership on East Chicago Street, saw "his dream car" on the showroom floor and yanked one of the dealership's doors at least four times, breaking the lock.

Once inside, Henderson started the car, but couldn't find a way to get it out of the building, reports said.

Angered, he picked up a chair and threw it at the showroom window directly behind the 2009 car, reports said.

But when he put the car into reverse and tried driving backward through the broken window, the car wouldn't move, reports said.

Police discovered Henderson a short time later during routine patrols, reports said.

Police had already encountered Henderson twice that evening - once during a domestic dispute and again when he tried to force his way into a car at East Chicago Avenue and Spring Street, reports said. He does not face charges in either case, police say. In the latter, the owner of the car declined to press charges, police said.

Henderson's bond and court information were not available Monday.

If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.