Former Sugar Grove man charged in car vandalism spree

A former Sugar Grove man is facing felony criminal damage to property charges alleging he scratched more than 20 vehicles and knocked over two mailboxes Aug. 6 in Sugar Grove.

Stephen Dale Mathews, 18, of downstate Dwight, was arrested Aug. 19 by Dwight police on a Sugar Grove warrant.

Police say Mathews used a stone or other sharp object to scratch profanities and obscenities, including racial insults, on the hoods, trunks and sides of vehicles.

Among them was an unmarked Kane County vehicle driven by Sheriff Pat Perez. For that, Mathews faces a Class 3 felony charge of criminal damage to state-supported property. The other charges are Class 4 felonies.

"He didn't just scratch them, he dug in to the metal," Sugar Grove police Investigator John Sizer said. Damage estimates for some vehicles have run as high as $3,000.

The spree took place between 1:30 and 6 a.m., mostly in the Chelsea Meadows subdivision on the south side of town.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, Mathews had not posted the $2,500 bond needed for his release and was being held at the Livingston County jail.

Mathews also faces misdemeanor charges accusing him of knocking over two mailboxes west of Route 47 in Sugar Grove.

More charges may be filed as damage estimates for the vehicles are completed, Sizer said. Police are asking that anyone who suspects their vehicle was damaged Aug. 6 get a repair estimate and file a report with the police.

Sizer said Mathews' name came up as a suspect when police interviewed locals youths about the crimes. Police believe he was visiting relatives in Sugar Grove when the vandalism occurred.