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Man Who Stole Car Using BB Gun Gets 12 Years

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A man who used a BB gun to steal a restaurant employee's car last summer in southwest suburban Orland Park has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Car Theft Results In 12-Year Sentence

Jonathan Sarolas, 23, of the 13500 block of Erin Drive, Homer Glen, pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated vehicular hijacking in the incident shortly before midnight June 25 in the parking lot of Red Lobster, 14750 LaGrange Road, according to a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney office.

Sarolas and a female passenger drove off, and police pursued the car, which Sarolas abandoned and then escaped on foot, police said.

They said he was apprehended near the Metra station in Midlothian.

Sarolas was released on parole June 14 after being in prison on a burglary conviction, authorities said.

His alleged accomplice, who was arrested in the abandoned car, is scheduled to go on trial April 11 at the county courthouse in Bridgeview, the spokeswoman said.

April D. Schmidt, 24, of downstate Wood River, also is charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking.

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