People v. Smith

Olian J. Smith operated an automobile-repair shop in Joliet. He was convicted of felony theft of an automobile following a bench trial, and he has appealed from that conviction and from his sentence of 30 months’ probation and payment of $626 restitution within 24 months.

According to the trial testimony of State police officer John Perona, he was driving past defendant’s place of business on September 27, 1984, when he noticed a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo parked in the lot adjacent to Smith’s building. The trunk lock was missing, and two small “space saver” tires were on the rear wheels.…