Granite City man charged in Pontoon Beach stolen car crash

EDWARDSVILLE — A Granite City man faces several vehicle-related felony charges stemming from a March 30 incident in Pontoon Beach in which the suspect was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle when he hit another car. The 25-year-old suspect was charged March 31 with unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony; and two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies. The Pontoon Beach Police Department presented the case. According to court documents, on March 30, the suspect was allegedly found to be in possession of a stolen Cadillac DTS; and fled from a Pontoon Beach police officer, striking another vehicle and injuring that driver; and disobeyed two or more traffic control devices. The suspect was remanded to jail. According to a petition to deny pre-trial release filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, the suspect was identified as the driver of a just-stolen vehicle, and when a traffic stop was attempted, the suspect fled. As he was attempting to pass another vehicle, the suspect struck that vehicle, injuring the driver, lost control, and struck a utility pole. It was noted that the suspect was already on pre-trial release for burglary and vehicle theft charges in a 2025 case. In that case, in August 2025, the suspect was found unfit to stand trial and was remanded to the Illinois Department of Human Services for inpatient treatment when a bed became available, but remained on pre-trial release until then. On March 2, the suspect was ordered to report to Alton Mental Health Center at an unspecified date, but on March 31, the State’s Attorney’s Office filed a motion to revoke his pre-trial release. Trio charged in theft from Alton Walgreens A trio facing multiple other retail theft charges — all for taking cosmetics from various local Walgreens stores — were again charged with retail theft from another Walgreens, this time in Alton. The trio, a 35-year-old and a 32-year-old woman, both of Aurora, Colorado; and a 19-year-old Brooklyn, New York man (who had a Denver, Colorado, address in prior charges), were all charged March 30 with retail theft over $300, all Class 3 felonies. The Alton Police Department presented the case. According to court documents, on Jan. 12, the three took “assorted cosmetics items” from the Alton Walgreens at 2610 State Street, Alton. The trio had been charged on March 6 with retail theft from the Bethalto Walgreens and had previously been charged with retail thefts targeting Walgreens in Edwardsville and Wood River. The three were ordered released from custody. Two Edwardsville residents charged with credit/debit card misuse A 21-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, both of Edwardsville, were charged May 31 with unlawful use of a credit or debit card, both Class 4 felonies. The SIUE Police Department presented the case. According to court documents, on Jan. 13, the two used a Discover card belonging to another person without their consent. Both were ordered released from custody. Alton woman charged with retail theft A 53-year-old Alton woman was charged March 30 with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The Alton Police Department presented the case. According to court documents, on Dec. 18, the suspect took laundry detergent and other items valued in excess of $300 from Farm and Home, 2600 Homer Adams Parkway, Alton. She was ordered released from custody. Alton man charged with theft of scrap metal A 42-year-old Alton man was charged March 30 with theft, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 8, the suspect took scrap metal from Alton Materials. It was noted that the suspect has a prior conviction for burglary in a 2023 case out of Madison County. He was ordered released from custody. These individuals have only been charged and remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All charges may not be reported.