Woman pleads not guilty to car theft, battery, drug charges

A Waukegan woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to a series of charges filed against her after she was found sitting in a stolen car.

Janelle Hadley, 46, could be sentenced to up to 13 years in prison if convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated battery to a police officer and possession of cocaine.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Fisz said a Grayslake police officer was checking license plates on vehicles in a gas station parking lot on Route 120 about 11 p.m. on March 1.

A check of the plate number on a 2000 GMC Yukon in the lot revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen by Waukegan police earlier that day, Fisz said.

The officer called for assistance, Fisz said, and Hadley was arrested after she walked out of the gas station and got into the vehicle.

Hadley was taken to the Grayslake police station, Fisz said, and slapped a female officer who was attempting to search her.

Hadley was subdued before she injured the officer, Fisz said, and about three grams of cocaine was discovered in Hadley’s clothing during the search.

Circuit Judge Fred Foreman scheduled a trial of the case for April 25 and ordered Hadley, who is held on $25,000 bond, to appear in court April 8.