SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — A Springfield man was arrested early January 4 after police say he locked his roommate in a basement and stole the roommate’s vehicle, according to the Springfield Police Department.
Officers responded to a reported vehicle theft at approximately 1:46 a.m. in the 2300 block of South 14th Street. The victim told police that his roommate of about one week, Brandon J. Sales, 36, confined him in the basement before taking his maroon 2011 Ford Explorer, valued at roughly $11,000.
The victim reported hearing Sales insult him before leaving the residence. He later managed to escape through a basement window and discovered the vehicle was missing.
Around 2:43 a.m., the victim contacted police again, stating that Sales had returned the vehicle and was possibly hiding outside the residence. Officers located Sales nearby and took him into custody.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Sales allegedly admitted to locking the victim in the basement and taking the vehicle without permission. Police said Sales cited jealousy related to the victim’s relationship with his husband as the motive.
During the arrest, officers also discovered that Sales had an active no-bond warrant for shoplifting in Macon County. Authorities confirmed that Macon County officials intend to extradite him.
The case remains under investigation.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations are accusations only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
