People v. Placek

Defendant, James Placek, was the focus of an undercover police investigation that targeted auto theft crimes. Approximately two years after the investigation began, the police shifted the focus of the undercover investigation from stolen auto parts to illegal drug transactions. An undercover police officer informed defendant that the officer’s “boss” needed a cocaine supplier. Six weeks later, defendant sold cocaine to the undercover officer.

Defendant was charged by indictment in the circuit court of Cook County with one count of theft (111. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 16 — 1(a)(5)).…