Rockford man charged in funeral home auto theft

A van, belonging to Collins & Stone Funeral Home (128 S. 5th St.), was stolen from outside of the business on the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 21. Unfortunately, there was a deceased man, 47-year-old Curtis Brown, in the cargo area.

Rockford Police were made aware that the van immediately fled Rockford towards the Chicago area.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, Chicago Police Department located the van, with no body inside, in the 1400 block of E. 87th St.

Rockford Police were notified Monday evening, Jan. 23, 2023, that the body was found in the 8200 block of S. Manistee in Chicago. Brown was subsequently brought back to Rockford by the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office.

Rockford Police Department Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation into the incident and identified the suspect as 23-year-old Deon Howard.

The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts of the case and authorized the below-listed charges against Howard. He is not in custody at this time.

Deon Howard, 23, Rockford Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

Abuse of a Corpse

If you have any information regarding this incident or others and know the whereabouts of Deon Howard, please contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900, on Facebook (@RockfordIllinoisPoliceDepartment) or on Twitter (@RockfordPD).

To submit an anonymous tip, text the word RPDTIP and your tip to 847411 or get the Rockford PD App in the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.