It must be hard being a car thief with new vehicles rolling out with built-in GPS trackers, making it almost impossible to steal them without being caught.
Something similar happened to one thief from Monroe Center, Illinois, who was unaware that there was a GPS tracker in the 2025 Dodge Durango he had stolen.
Police tracked the vehicle to a Best Buy parking lot. Unaware that officers were waiting for him, the suspect returned to the vehicle.
However, he decided to make life harder for himself, which led to additional charges.
Dodge Durango Thief Injures Three Police Officers
According to a press release by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, officers with the Crystal Lake Police Department received information about the stolen Dodge Durango from the Chicago Police Department.
Using the GPS location, officers tracked it to the parking lot of Best Buy in Crystal Lake. They spotted a woman sitting in the passenger seat, but the driver’s seat remained unoccupied.
The suspect, 46-year-old Wayne Mikulski of Monroe Center, Illinois, was expected to arrive at the car, so the officers kept watch. Exiting the Best Buy store, Mikulski spotted the officers near the Durango.
As a result, he attempted to flee the scene, but he was soon caught by the officers. However, when they attempted to arrest him, he resisted their efforts, injuring three officers in the process. Eventually, he was handcuffed.
An extensive search by the officers revealed that Mikulski was in possession of several items that did not belong to him, including credit cards. Notably, officers also found a quantity of methamphetamine.
The investigation confirmed that Mikulski knowingly had the stolen Dodge Durango in his possession.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese had a message for car thieves. She said:
“As technology evolves, stolen vehicles are increasingly being located through sophisticated GPS tracking systems that provide law enforcement with real-time information. In this case, that technology, combined with outstanding police work and interagency cooperation, led directly to the recovery of the stolen vehicle and the apprehension of the defendant. Criminals should understand that today’s technology makes it far more likely they will be found, arrested, and prosecuted.”
Mikulski Pleads Guilty, Gets Additional Charges Added
Mikulski reached a plea agreement with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, pleading guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, which is a Class 2 felony. He was sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
According to a report by WIFR, Mikulski was sentenced in March 2026 to seven years for identity theft and six years for aggravated fleeing to elude, with both sentences to run concurrently.
He pleaded guilty to stealing pieces of mail, checks, and debit cards from residents of Ogle, Winnebago, and Cook counties in 2025.