An Aurora man with an extensive criminal past has been sentenced to prison for possessing a stolen car.

Manuel A. Ochoa, 38, of the 400 block of Rosewood Ave., Aurora, was sentenced today by Associate Judge Clint Hull to 13 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Ochoa was convicted April 28, 2015, by a Kane County jury, of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony.

At about noon Dec. 18, 2014, an Aurora police officer was at Dearborn and North Farnsworth avenues when he saw a 1997 Toyota Corolla with the front driver’s side winder shattered out. The driver’s face was covered. The officer began following the vehicle until the driver stopped the car and fled on foot. The officer quickly captured Ochoa. The interior of the car was littered with shattered glass from the broken window, and the driver’s seat was covered in broken glass. Police soon determined that the car has been reported stolen on Dec. 13, 2014. The owner of the vehicle stated she did not know Ochoa and did not give him permission to possess the car.

Ochoa was eligible for an extended prison sentence because of his extensive criminal history. He has five prior convictions for burglary, three prior convictions for theft, two prior convictions for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and one prior drug conviction.

According to Illinois law, Ochoa eligible for day-for-day credit. He receives credit for at least 201 days served in the Kane County jail.

“Mr. Ochoa is headed to prison because he chose a life of crime. Hopefully, after a half-dozen felony convictions and this lengthy prison sentence, he’ll choose something more honest and worthwhile,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe
McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Alex Bederka and David Belshan.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office