Streator man gets 8 years for burglary, stolen truck

A Streator man pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple felonies stemming from a September burglary spree and high-speed chase.

Leroy E. Persinger, 29, at one point faced six felony charges but cut his losses Thursday by pleading guilty to two counts of burglary and one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, all Class 2 felonies carrying an extended sentencing range of three to 14 years because of his criminal history.

In exchange for plea, prosecutors agreed to three eight-year sentences, which will run concurrently.

Persinger declined an opportunity to address Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia before sentencing.

Persinger was arrested Sept. 28 after a Streator-area foot chase that resulted in the apprehension of 51-year-old Nancy M. Newell of Streator, who also faces a felony charge of burglary and was prepared to testify against Persinger had he gone to trial.

Both were charged after a sheriff’s deputy stopped Persinger for speeding on North 17th Road, just north of Streator. The Chevrolet truck turned out to have been stolen and police, after learning Persinger was wanted for trying to steal from a car wash, tried to place him under arrest, authorities said. Persinger allegedly resisted, and he and Newell fled on foot, police said.

On Thursday, Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Jeremiah Adams said if the case had gone to trial, the state was prepared to show surveillance footage taken from a Pontiac pawn shop where Persinger and Newell were taped hocking tools linked to a sign company. Persinger had been spotted in the sign company’s truck Sept. 28, a short time after he again broke in to the business.

Additional counts were dismissed as part of the plea. Newell will appear March 5 for a possible plea now that Persinger’s case is resolved.