Manual Gaines was spotted after police officers on patrol heard breaking glass outside the business, The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph reported Friday. Officers chased a stolen van onto Interstate 55 and found more than $10,000 worth of plasma screen televisions inside the abandoned vehicle.

Gaines, 36, was arrested in a field nearby where he was trying to hide.

He pleaded guilty to burglary, reckless driving and drug possession charges, but told the judge in a handwritten letter he perpetrated the heist was so his 17-year-old daughter could have nice high school graduation pictures and attend her senior prom.

Sentencing was set for Feb. 11.