Mastermind behind cargo theft ring gets 12-year sentence

in

May 18

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Bolingbrook man who masterminded the theft of more than $1 million worth of cargo from semi-trailers in 2005 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Eugene Brock, 45, of 411 Quarry Drive, Bolingbrook, pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 17 before Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak to a charge of organizing an aggravated vehicle theft conspiracy, a Class X felony that carries a minimum six-year prison sentence upon conviction. Glasgow’s office was the first to file and successfully prosecute this charge in Will County.

Brock was convicted of heading a theft ring that stole tractors and trailers loaded with cargo including clothing, food, electronic equipment and Ethan Allen furniture. 

The ring was busted up following a seven-month investigation by the Tri County Auto Theft Unit, which is a multi-jurisdictional task force involving officers from sheriff’s departments in Will, Kankakee and Grundy counties as well as from the Joliet, Bolingbrook and Romeoville police departments. Theft unit detectives arrested Brock on July 17, 2005.

Brock’s conviction was secured by Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Jones, who prosecutes task force cases for Glasgow’s office. The Tri County Auto Theft Unit is headed by Master Sgt. John Creedon of the Illinois State Police. 

“Task forces like the Tri County Auto Theft Unit give the long arm of the law an even greater reach,” Glasgow said. “Police agencies can pool their resources to conduct broader and more intensive investigations. This operation alone kept more than $1 million in goods from falling off the back of the truck and into the hands of thieves.”

Glasgow also said Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine, without hesitation, stepped in to provide critical technical assistance necessary to the success of the investigation.   

Three other men also were charged with theft in connection with this case. They are: Terry Meeks, 41, of Chicago; Kenny Hodges, 46, of Bellwood; and Emmanuel Brock, 42, of Brookfield.

Emmanuel Brock pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and was sentenced to four years in prison. Meeks and Hodges face a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that a charge is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial during which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.