A Chicago man with a long history of thefts has been sent to prison for never paying rent for or returning construction equipment and for selling a passenger van that belonged to a church pastor.

Daniel R. Flowers, 36, of the 1400 block of North Long Avenue, Chicago, was sentenced Sept. 4, 2015, to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On April 16, 2015, Flowers pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of a second division vehicle, a Class 1 felony, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony. Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles accepted the plea, and all parties agreed on a future sentencing date.

On Oct. 11, 2011, Flowers rented a Ford A-64 Wheel Loader tractor and a Bobcat Skid-steer from the victim, who owns and rents construction equipment in Aurora. Flowers never made any rental payments and never returned either vehicle. The Ford Wheel Loader was later recovered from a towing yard. The Bobcat was never found.

While awaiting sentencing, on June 2, 2015, Flowers met a woman at an Aurora church. The woman inquired with Flowers about employment, and also indicated that she would like to purchase a 1996 Ford van that was parked in the church lot. Flowers sold the van to the woman for $400. Later, the woman mentioned to the church’s pastor that she had purchased the van from Flowers. The pastor responded that the van belonged to him and not Flowers. The two then called the police.

On Aug. 19, 2015, flowers pleaded guilty to theft, a Class 4 felony.

The sentence is four years for the Class 1 felony, and three years for the Class 2 felony, to be served concurrently, and three years for the Class 4 felony, to be served consecutively to the other term.

In addition, Flowers was ordered by Judge Boles to pay $33,800 in restitution for the stolen construction equipment and $1,100 in restitution for the van.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Boles cited Flowers’ criminal history. He has multiple previous convictions for theft, domestic battery and aggravated battery to a child.

According to Illinois law, Flowers is eligible for day-for-day credit. He receives credit for at least 52 days served in the Kane County jail.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Stajdohar.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release