Feds file felonies against 2 in Illinois truck stop crimes

The Trucker News Services

2/14/2008

HAMMOND, Ill. — Two Illinois men who allegedly terrorized truckers parked at region gas stations in 2007 are facing a dozen counts each of kidnapping and stealing truckloads of metal, according to authorities.

Dinisio Gilbert, 34, of Dolton, Ill., and Anthony Gibson, 33, of Chicago, were charged Wednesday in federal indictments with crimes carrying penalties of up to life in prison if convicted.

Both pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry in Hammond federal court.

Prosecutors say the two men were behind the spree of four armed hijackings at truck stops in Hebron, Gary and Lake Station last spring.

In each incident, the drivers said they were threatened with a gun and overpowered before one or more assailants stole their loads of steel and aluminum using another big rig, the indictment alleges.

In three of the cases, the drivers were subdued and had their feet and hands duct-taped, and in the last two cases, the drivers were abducted and held for ransom, prosecutors allege.

The indictment alleges Gibson took part in all four incidents (April 27, May 6, May 9 and May 11) while Gilbert was involved in the second and fourth robberies.

Both men have prior convictions of felony charges, court filings state. Gibson was convicted of auto theft in Lake County in 1998, and Gilbert was convicted of attempted murder in Cook County in 1994.

In the recent case, both are charged with illegally possessing a .357 Magnum revolver that was discovered in their truck when they were arrested, although defense attorney William Padula is attempting to get the gun charges dropped on grounds that the search was illegally conducted.

The incidents prompted Indiana State Police to issue alerts last spring to all truckers stopping in the region to stay on guard and avoid secluded areas.