An Illinois man blames a bag of Fritos for a series of crimes he committed in Ingleside.
Shawn M. Johnson was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary, two counts of identity theft and unlawful possession of an identification card over the summer. The crimes were committed in Lake County while Johnson was on pre-trial release for two similar cases.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of theft after a man's wallet went missing from his car while parked at CrossPoint Church in Ingleside. The same day, his bank notified him of suspicious purchases at a gas station, dollar store, Walgreens and McDonald's.
Johnson was later identified in surveillance video at the same McDonald's near the time of the fraudulent charge. He is seen exiting and entering a stolen pickup truck. In police custody, Johnson admitted to stealing the wallet.
Additionally, he confessed to burglarizing several vehicles in the church parking lot and stealing the pickup truck, which he eventually abandoned near the location it was initially stolen from.
Johnson explained to Lake County police that he was on drugs when he committed the crimes. While walking through the church parking lot, he noticed a bag of Fritos sitting in the front seat. When he opened the unlocked door, he saw the keys to the vehicle and stole it.
Lake County Judge Ari Fisz has revoked Johnson's pre-trial release. He will remain in Lake County Jail pending trial.
