Two charged with crashing stolen Mustang downstate

Two men have been charged with stealing a Ford Mustang from south suburban Riverdale, then crashing it Thursday morning in downstate Manteno.

About 5 a.m., someone reported a hit-and-run crash on northbound I-57 at milepost 317, according to Illinois State Police.

The suspected vehicle, a white 2013 Ford Mustang reported stolen from Riverdale on July 8, was found abandoned on the side of the expressway underneath an overpass, police said.

A short time later, officers spotted four males walking eastbound from the crash scene, police said. When the officers tried to speak with the males, they ran away.

Mark L. Conner, 21, of University Park was eventually apprehended by officers from the Kankakee County sheriff’s office, police said. Brandon L. Johnson, 19, of Crete, was arrested by officers from the Manteno Police Department.

The other two males were not found, police said. A witness told investigators a dark-colored Chrysler PT Cruiser was seen picking up two males walking in the area.

Conner and Johnson have each been charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and obstruction of justice, police said. They have both been taken to the Kankakee County Jail.

Tri County Auto Theft and Zone 3 Investigations continue to investigate the case, police said.