DECATUR, IL- Decatur Police arrested three people Wednesday for allegedly stealing truck batteries from all over the city.
Christopher Hoffman, 39, Charity Mize, 36, and Vicki Cole, 60, have all been arrested. Each has been charged with 32 counts of burglary.
According to sworn statements, police saw Hoffman, Mize and Cole drive up and park at a business in the 2700 block of North 22nd Street. Hoffman got out of the car, went through the garage door of the business and allegedly come out with two boxes of stolen goods.
Police say the three drove off and were stopped by officers a short time later.
When questioned by police, Hoffman admitted to stealing the items, as well as stealing batteries out of truck tractors around Decatur. Hoffman told police that he has stolen over 50 batteries from many locations to help support his drug habit.
Both Mize and Cole told police that they have each driven Hoffman to different businesses so that he can steal batteries.
Hoffman is being held on $150,000. Cole and Mize are each being held on $75,000 bond. Hoffman has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple felony convictions for burglary and theft, on top of being on probation. Mize has past felony convictions for theft, forgery and misuse of a credit card.
