Peoria man pleads guilty to Caterpillar theft

Associated Press

PEKIN - A Peoria man was sentenced to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing pricy equipment from Caterpillar Inc.

The Pekin Daily Times reports 35-year-old Eliot J. Wells also agreed to testify against another man who's charged in the case.

Authorities said the pair stole items valued at about $1 million from the Peoria-based manufacturing company. They made almost $500,000 re-selling the goods on eBay.

John R. Peters, 50, of East Peoria, is also charged and is set to appear in court March 17.

Both had ties to the heavy equipment maker, working for a contractor.