Motorcycles prime target in suburban thefts

Authorities say an alert bystander notified police in time to put the brakes on a motorcycle crime spree in the suburbs.

Mark Gant, 24, of the 6500 block of S. Marshfield Ave., Chicago, is charged with five counts of felony for allegedly absconding with five motorcycles between June 4 and Thursday.

At an appearance in bond court Saturday in Rolling Meadows, prosecutor Ina Kantor said Gant was observed grabbing a 2006 Honda motorcycle from its parking spot Wednesday in the 7200 block of West Lawrence Avenue in Harwood Heights and stowing it in a rented cargo van.

The bystander called 911 and followed the van to Norridge, where Gant parked, and police later arrested him.

Police said Gant told them he was hired by a man to steal motorcycles and spoke of four other thefts in Mount Prospect. The crimes all involved Honda motorcycles and took place between June 4 and June 9.

Gant denied making any statements to police and also said he had not been allowed to make a phone call since his arrest, Cook County assistant public defender Marilyn Pallucca said.

Judge Margarita Kulys Hoffman set bond at $50,000. The next court date is July 13.