TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Brandon Rhodes, 35, was arrested again in Taylorville following multiple vehicle thefts, authorities said.
Taylorville Police reported that a Chevy Suburban and a 2026 Chevy Tahoe were stolen Friday evening, just days after Rhodes was released pretrial for a previous stolen vehicle charge. Officers quickly located the Suburban at Manners Park with the assistance of K9 Officer Priddy, while Chief Dwayne Wheeler found the Tahoe on Webster Street. Neither vehicle was damaged, and nothing was missing.
Investigators from the Taylorville Police Department and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office reviewed video footage from St. Mary’s School and the Park District, which identified Rhodes as the suspect.
According to police, Rhodes has a history of repeated vehicle thefts: on February 12, he stole a car in Taylorville and drove it to Springfield, then stole another in Springfield, was arrested in Peoria, released, and returned to Taylorville to commit another theft. He was arrested again on February 16 after the stolen vehicle ran out of gas.
Rhodes faces two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and was released pretrial on February 17 under conditions that included a mental health evaluation and no contact with his alleged victims. Police noted that Illinois law does not automatically detain stolen vehicle offenders pretrial, but authorities believe Rhodes may pose a safety risk to the community at his next hearing.
Court records have not yet indicated when Rhodes will appear following his most recent arrest.
