Eric Webster, 37, of Galesburg stole a vehicle from the 1100 block of Cedar Street on Monday, December 7th. Webster, and a passenger: 27-year old Cody Earp of East Peoria then went to Ayerco and attempted to shoplift candy. At one point the two showed the cashier Knox County Sheriff’s jacket patches and tried to pass as Sheriff’s Deputies. The two eventually ended up at Galesburg Nissan where they were approached by the stolen vehicle’s owner. During the confrontation, Webster sped off – striking another vehicle on Galesburg Nissan’s lot and nearly pinning the vehicle’s owner against another vehicle. Earp fled on foot and was eventually detained on North Henderson Street by GPD and an off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy. Earp was wanted on a Fulton County Warrant but wasn’t extradited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Webster and the stolen truck were eventually seen at Yemm Chevrolet where officers conducted a felony traffic stop. According to police reports, a search of Webster turned up several bank cards, a female’s checkbook, another female’s pocketbook, a white crystal-like substance, and a pair of Sheriff’s Deputy patches. Webster claimed the white substance was “fake snow.” The white substance was sent in for testing for the presence of Methamphetamine. Webster was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Reckless Conduct, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Retail Theft, and Driving on a Revoked License.
