Three arrested in stolen vehicle

BELVIDERE – On Feb. 18, at about 12:27 a.m., Belvidere Police Officers responded to the 600 Block of Ruth Circle for a stolen vehicle report. A description of the stolen vehicle was broadcast over the radio to area police agencies.
On Feb. 18, at about 1:25 a.m., a Belvidere Police Officer observed the stolen vehicle in the area of Business 20 and Shaw Roads, at which time the vehicle fled from officers. The vehicle subsequently crashed in the 800 Block of Boulder Ridge Drive and three suspects fled on foot.
Multiple officers from Belvidere P.D. and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department canvassed the area for the suspects.
Additionally, three K9 teams from Belvidere P.D., Loves Park P.D. and the Boone County Sheriff’s Police assisted in the search for the suspects.
On Feb. 18, at about 5 a.m., a Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy took two of the suspects into custody, in the area of Business 20 and Olson Road.
Mathew White, male, 21, was subsequently charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child, possession of drug paraphernaila and criminal trespass to motor vehicle (all three charges are Class A Misdemeanors).
A 17 year old juvenile male was subsequently charged with one count of burglary (Class Two Felony) and one count of criminal trespass to motor vehicle, (Class A Misdemeanor).
Belvidere Police Detectives learned through the investigation, that a burglary had occurred in the 1400 Block of 11th Ave. Further investigation by detectives revealed the third suspect to be Johnathon Reyes, male, 28.
Johnathon Reyes was subsequently charged with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle (Class Two Felony), one count of unlawful possession of a converted vehicle (Class Two Felony), one count of burglary (Class Two Felony), and one count of driving while driver’s license suspended (Class A Misdemeanor). The investigation revealed all three suspects to be Belvidere residents.
A Class A Misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail, a Class Two Felony is punishable by three to seven years in the Department Of Corrections.
This is an example of the cooperative efforts by law enforcement officers in the region, to conduct a coordinated investigation, which lead to the apprehension of these criminals.
The Belvidere Police Department would like to thank the Loves Park P.D. and the Boone County Sheriff’s Police for their assistance with this case.
Belvidere Police Detectives continue to follow up leads. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
The Belvidere Police Department encourages anyone having information of a crime or narcotic trafficking to call the Belvidere Police Department at (815) 544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 547-7867.
Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
Every defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the State’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.