Round Lake Beach man gets 21 years in prison for killing teen who stole his car; ‘That boy died for no reason other than you wanted your car back’

A Round Lake Beach man who shot twin teenage brothers, killing one, in a confrontation over the man’s stolen car was sentenced in Lake County Court Wednesday to 21 years in prison.

Lynell Glover, 36, asked for leniency and a second chance before Judge Mark Levitt passed sentence for the shooting death of Anthony Awad, 17, and the wounding of Jonathan Awad.

The judge said Glover had “zero appreciation” for his actions around 3 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2021, when he encountered the brothers driving Glover’s stolen Camaro along Illinois Route 12 near Volo.

“I want to make clear to you that your use of force was entirely improper,” Levitt said. “That boy died for no reason other than you wanted your car back.”

Glover was found guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm at a March trial. Jurors deliberated more than 30 hours over four days before acquitting Glover of first-degree murder and one battery count, but finding him guilty on the other charges.

He faced a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

At trial, Glover said he shot the brothers in self-defense, but prosecutors said he brought a gun with him and fired on the Awads as they ran away from him. The brothers had stolen his Camaro several days before, and early on Jan. 3 a friend called Glover to say he had seen the car at a nearby gas station, according to trial testimony

Glover drove there, saw his car and became involved in the confrontation after following the car to a spot where it stalled along Route 21.

Prosecutors said Glover had been “playing detective,” rather than letting police solve the crime of his stolen car. Glover disputed that when he addressed the court before sentencing.

“I never thought I would bump into my car that night,” he said. Glover said he went to the gas station to gather security video.

“I know I made a mistake,” he told the judge.

A number of friends and family members, even the CEO of the company where Glover worked as a warehouse supervisor, attested to his character before sentencing.

But Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Callinan, who asked for a 25-year sentence, said Glover was “someone with an extreme temper who can turn on a dime.”

James Schwarzbach, who represented Glover, called his client, “a good man who, in one moment of his life, did commit a criminal act.” The attorney asked for a sentence close to the six-year minimum.

“Glover decided to take a life over his car being stolen days earlier, and nothing more,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said Wednesday. “Our legal system and our common morality have always valued life over property. Mr. Glover’s premeditated vigilantism and thirst for violence was condemned by our legal system and our community.”