WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL) -- A man is in custody following a multi-county crime spree involving the theft of five vehicles, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office first said they arrested Wesley J. New on April 29. He was taken into custody after deputies said they discovered him driving a stolen vehicle on Route 13 east of Marion. He was then cited with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, driving while his license was suspended, and no valid driver's license.
The sheriff's office also later said New stole a vehicle out of Colp and abandoned it in Whiteash before stealing the next vehicle. He was then cited with two additional charges of theft.
"Due to the safety act, New was released from the Williamson County Jail on April 30, 2025," the Sheriff's Office reported in a release.
On May 9, 2025, deputies said they responded to a theft report in Carbondale where two vehicles, a Ford F-150 and a Jeep Cherokee, were reported stolen along with chainsaws and other items. The Jeep was found nearby, but the Ford was later recovered in Belle Rive, Illinois, the sheriff's office said.
A Belle Rive resident also reported a motorcycle theft on May 9, authorities said. On May 10, New was found sleeping under a motorcycle in Cambria Park which later was confirmed to be the reported stolen motorcycle, the sheriff's office reported. Detectives also said they linked New to the stolen Ford and Jeep.
New was then cited with new charges, including possession of a stolen motorcycle, theft over $10,000, theft over $500, burglary and a violation of pre-trial release.
New was taken to the Williamson County Jail.
