A 30-year-old Galesburg man was arrested on Monday, and again on Tuesday on felony theft charges.
Just before 10:45 on Monday night, officers were dispatched to Baird Avenue after receiving a call of a suspicious man peering into vehicles with a flashlight.
According to police reports, officers made contact with a man who had chased the assailant through some yards. The man was seen wearing a hoodie and carrying a black bag. He told officers that the prowler had yelled that he was “just trying to get high” while being chased.
The man in question, Joshua P. Amick, was found located behind a residence in the 1900 block of Baird. He allegedly told officers he was out of breath after being chased and had smoked methamphetamine earlier in the day.
The bag that had been seen was found in a bush, it contained a Dell laptop computer and snack food. Amick was searched – allegedly turning up a yellow flashlight and a multi-tool utility knife. Amick denied ownership of the bag.
He was released from the Knox County Jail, but re-arrested after a resident on Baird Avenue contacted police saying he was missing items – which would end up being including the laptop, yellow flashlight and utility knife.
Amick again denied that he had possession of the laptop bag, allegedly telling officers that his bag had actually been stashed on Grand Avenue.
Officers found that bag and searched it, turning up a variety of items including: coax and speaker cables, miscellaneous chargers, FM/AM Transmitter, AC adapters, screwdrivers, and an American Flag phone case.
The phone case was linked to a different theft from a motor vehicle incident that was reported Sunday. The owner positively identified it as his based on wear to the case.
Police reports indicate that Amick was charged with two Class 2 Felony counts of theft from a motor vehicle. Each charge carries a statutory prison sentencing range of 3-7 years.
UPDATE
According to the Register Mail, Amick has been linked to a third burglary. His bail was set at $20,000.
