Illinois man faces several charges in Cooper County over stolen truck

A Collinsville, Ill. man was charged with various misdemeanors and felonies in Cooper County after allegedly driving recklessly in a stolen truck on June 5.

When asked why he was passing on the shoulder of the highway at high speeds, Shane D. Giacoletto, 20, reportedly said, “It felt good. It felt right. God was on my side.”

The series of events that led to Giacoletto’s arrest started when the Missouri State Highway Patrol learned of a truck driving recklessly. A trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver didn’t stop.

A car chase ensued with the driver of the truck hitting a hill after attempting to turn onto Route B from I-70, and continuing to drive. The trooper said he drew his weapon to get the driver to stop, and had to get out of the way of the truck’s path as the driver raised his hands from the wheel. The truck hit the door of the trooper’s patrol car, costing $2,000 of damage.

The driver was identified as Giacoletto through the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) and his Illinois Dept. of Revenue photo after he gave the trooper the wrong name.

Giacoletto went through multiple field sobriety tests before being deemed intoxicated. In one instance, he was asked if he would be able to count backwards from 100.

“Yea, I probably could, but I don’t feel like it,” he replied.

Giacoletto was then taken to a hospital for a wound he sustained in the crash with the hill. According to court documents, he spit on the walls and a trooper while he was there.

The stolen vehicle was returned to its Caseyville, Ill. owner.

Giacoletto now faces 9 charges, in all: Tampering with a motor vehicle, DWI, resisting arrest, speeding, operating a motor vehicle in a careless manner, failure to stop, passing vehicles on the right, fourth-degree assault, and operating a vehicle without a valid license.