Police in Willmington, IL, are reportedly seeking to seize the vehicle of a 27-year-old man who was arrested in August for armed robbery.
According to documents filed by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, police are seeking to forfeit a 1997 GMC 2500 truck owned by Correy A. Ingram of Diamond.
Ingram has been jailed since August 18, when he was arrested for his alleged involvement in a robbery at a gas station on Lorenzo Road. The forfeiture complaint claims the vehicle was used by Ingram during the commission of the alleged armed robbery.
Deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Knights Inn gas station after an attendant reported an armed robbery. The attendant told police that the criminal wore a hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black gloves, and a ski mask.
The masked gunman reportedly shouted at the attendant to open the cash register and lifted his sweatshirt to show a black handgun tucked in his pants. The gunman then told the attendant to transfer the cash into a plastic bag. The clerk reportedly put around $500 in the bag, according to the complaint.
The gunman yelled at the attendant to keep his hands where he could see them. Once he got the bag of money, he walked out of the gas station and headed west. The attendant immediately called 911 once the gunman was out of sight.
At approximately 4:50 a.m., a deputy reportedly noticed a man hiding in the bushes near the gas station. The man, who was identified as Ingram, was arrested and taken to the Will County Sheriff’s Department.
Later that day, a Wilmington officer and Will County Sheriff’s deputy found a black truck less than a mile west of the alleged crime scene. A run of its registration revealed Ingram to be the owner. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a blue plastic bag and a handgun on the driver’s seat.
Police are now seeking to seize the vehicle as a forfeited police asset. A Will County judge will decide whether the vehicle will become a forfeited asset on October 9. Ingram remains jailed on $500,000 bond. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.
Civil asset forfeiture can be found in many criminal cases. Forfeiture laws allow police departments to take assets if they believe the assets are associated with a crime. This includes vehicles, jewelry, cash, bank accounts, and even real estate.
The proceedings for civil forfeitures call for the assistance of an experienced attorney. It is crucial for victims of civil forfeiture to hire an attorney to help them navigate the legal system, and get some or all of their assets back.
South Florida Civil Forfeiture Defense Attorney
If your property was seized because of an alleged connection to a crime, you should hire an attorney. Contact us to set up a free consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced civil forfeiture defense attorney.
Source: 9.20.19 Wilmington gas station robber may lost truck to forfeiture.pdf