Two men shot by police during Little Village burglary sentenced to prison

Two men shot by police after they were caught burglarizing a Little Village business in 2012 have been sentenced to prison.

John W. Givens and Leland Dudley were arrested April 30, 2012, after police saw them inside a business in the 2400 block of South Western Avenue about 2:40 a.m., authorities said at the time.

When police ordered them out of the building, they got into the store owner’s car, rammed a garage door, and struck a police officer and squad car, Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden said at the time.

Police opened fire as the car drove toward several other squad cars, Camden said.

Both Givens and Dudley were shot, and an alleged accomplice, David Raynell Strong, died at the scene of multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by officers, police said.

Givens and Dudley were both charged with murder, among other offenses, because Strong’s death happened during the commission of a felony, police said at the time.

Both were convicted of murder, aggravated battery of a peace officer, burglary, and possession of a stolen vehicle following two-day jury trials in May before Judge James Linn, court records show.

Givens, 35, was sentenced to a total of 20 years at a hearing Monday, court records show. Dudley, 36, was sentenced to 25 years.

Givens, who uses a wheelchair, sued Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in federal court over accessibility issues at the Cook County Jail while being detained before trial, the Sun-Times reported previously. The suit claims violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and is pending, court records show.