McHenry County Blog

An email from Marengo’s Kristin Ottolino to her Citizens Alert Social Media Network:

To all concerned McHenry County citizens,

There have been two burglaries in Marengo last week. As the weather warms up, I’m sure we can expect them to be more frequent. Just below is the original email to our network from the Chief. Also, the Chief reminds us to secure our houses and businesses and as an added note, he reminds us about the check scam being perpetrated on our citizens. Please read details below.

Stay safe, stay vigilant,
Kristin Ottolino
rio.2001@hotmail.com
(815)568-1190

CC: Chief Joseph Hallman – Marengo Police Department
BCC: All members of: Citizens Alert Social Media Network
If you know of anyone that would like to be added to this list, please have them email me.
At any time, if you would like to be removed from this list, send me an email and I will remove you.

From: jhallman@cityofmarengo.com

Subject: Burglaries

Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:56:36 -0500

All,

We experienced two burglaries between April 18th and April 21st. The information is as follows:

Between April 18th – 21st Residence in the 600 block of Sunset Drive.

Entry was gained through an unlocked sliding glass door.

Various items were removed that were small and transportable.

April 20th during the early morning hours, person(s) entered the Tanika Food Mart (219 West Grant Highway) and removed liquor.

Intruders were gone upon police arrival.

Please remember to secure your house and business.

Also, we have seen an uptick in scams related to “checks” being mailed to individuals’ residences.

If you are not expecting some type of check, it is most likely a scam where the con artists want you to deposit the “check” into your account and send them some money (lesser amount) of cash (via wire).

The “checks” are not worth the paper they are printed upon.

It is difficult for law enforcement to make arrests on these types of scams since they usually originate in a different country.

If it sounds too good to be true…

Joseph M. Hallman
Marengo Chief of Police

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Subject charged with Multiple vehicle Burglaries

During the month of December, 2012 the Crystal Lake Police Department received several reports of vehicle burglaries occurring in the southwestern portion of the City.

Investigators began gathering information, and learned credit cards taken from vehicles had been used at several area retail establishments to make unauthorized purchases. Through images obtained from surveillance videos at the stores, and neighborhood canvasses, a suspect was developed.

On December 19th, 2012, Crystal Lake Police obtained an arrest warrant and executed a search warrant at the home of Daniel White of 1528 Candlewood Drive, Crystal Lake.

Mr. White was taken into custody and charged with

• two counts of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card, as well as
• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin)

With multiple items seized as a result of the search warrant, the investigation continued.

Members of the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Investigations Division were able to link several of the seized items directly to the previously reported burglaries.

On January 23, 2013, the McHenry County State’s Attorney Office reviewed the new findings and authorized

• seventeen (17) additional counts of Burglary to Motor Vehicle,
• three (3) counts of Possession of Another’s Credit Card,
• one (1) count of Forgery and
• one(1) count of Theft.

Daniel White, who was still in custody at the McHenry County Jail, was served with the additional criminal charges. Bond was set at $75,000.

As a result of this investigation; Twenty-two (22) Crystal Lake criminal cases were cleared by arrest and 12 more cases were cleared exceptionally (resolved but with no charges files).

Some of these burglaries dated back as far as April of 2012. Daniel White remains in the custody of the McHenry County Jail.

In addition, several cases of fraudulent credit card use were also cleared in the City of Elgin, Carpentersville and Algonquin.

An email from Fox River Grove Police Chief Ron Lukasik:

“In following up on the residential burglaries in the Foxmoor Subdivision, the police department took a proactive approach during the subsequent investigation.

“A canvass of the area homes revealed six additional attempts or residential burglaries that had occurred.

“The police department has recovered several items that have not been claimed or identified by these victims.

“At this time it is believed that more burglaries may have occurred in the subdivision that have not been reported.

“We are asking residents to check their home for missing items such as jewelry, small tools and household items.

“If you have items missing and believe you may be a victim of one of these crimes, please contact Sgt. Domagala or Officer Eric Waitrovich at the police department 847-639-2411.

Based on entry points from the previously reported burglaries they will be able to verify whether entry was made to your residence.”

The original press release from the Fox River Grove Police can be found here.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police:

Approximate location of Kelly Lane break-in.

On Monday, June 4th, 2012 at approximately 11:15 am, Crystal Lake Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Kelly Lane, for a report of a burglary in progress.

According to a resident who was home at the time, a subject; described as a Caucasian male, 20-25 years of age, 5’6” – 5’10” tall with light brown hair, had made entry to the home and had been observed inside.

Sketh of Kelly Lane burglar.

Upon recognizing the home was not unoccupied, the suspect reportedly exited the home and fled on foot.Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

The resident was unharmed in this incident, and it is believed the offender may not have removed anything from the home as he was interrupted.

A composite of the suspect was created with the help of witnesses.

The Crystal Lake Police Department requests residents report any suspicious activity observed in their neighborhoods. The Department can be contacted 24 hours a day by the non-emergency number of 815 356-3620, or in an emergency, by dialing 911.

Anyone with a cell phone can now send an anonymous tip to Crystal Lake Police by texting the word CLPDTIP along with the tip information to 847411 (tip411).

Anonymous web tips can also be submitted at: http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/group.html?id=4930

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has an important message for the community!

CRIMESTOPPERS BULLETIN
June 1, 2012

Sheriff Keith Nygren is asking residents to be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles and people, after three daytime residential burglaries involving jewelry, flat-screen televisions, and firearms have been reported.

Three daytime residential burglaries were reported in unincorporated Marengo on May 29, 2012. All of the burglaries involved forced entry to single family homes, while residents were away. In the past, burglars have used the ruse of asking for directions if a homeowner answered the door.

Sheriff Keith Nygren encourages anyone with information regarding these investigations to contact either the McHenry County Crimestoppers at 1-800-762-Stop (7867), The McHenry County Sheriff’s Police Tip Line at (815) 338-2144, or the tip line email address; TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offender(s). Crimestoppers does not use caller ID.

= = = = =

Interestingly, Marengo’s Kristin Ottolino put out this alert two days ago.

To All Concerned McHenry County Citizens,

Sorry to report more burglaries in Marengo. I received this from Chief Hallman of Marengo this morning. He asked me to pass this to you.

Darn it… I wish people would lock their garages and cars. Please remind your friends and family. Thank you.

Stay safe, Stay vigilant!

She also sent this 8:30 AM Wednesday email from the Marengo Police:

Ms. Ottolino,

Bauman Court in Marengo

Please forward this e-mail to your group:

Two burglaries on Bauman Court during the night / early morning hours of May 27th – 28th. One was a vehicle and one was a garage and the vehicle in the garage. The garage and the vehicles were unlocked.

Items taken included electronics, tools, change. No serial numbers were recorded by the owners which gives MPD little to follow up with. Please remind the group to take the time to document serial numbers of any / all items of value, engrave owner identification descriptors on items and list these items with insurance agents. The follow up for MPD (e.g.) running them through various data bases to see if they were pawned is invaluable when we have specific description including serial numbers.

Joseph M. Hallman
Chief of Police
Marengo Police Department

= = = = =
If you would like to be on her email list, let her know here: rio.2001@hotmail.com.

The Fox River Grove Police has released videos of two car burglaries in the Hunters Farm and Foxmoor subdivisions.

Perhaps you can identify the guy.

Here is the press release:

Since April 26th, 2012, Fox River Grove Police Department has received twelve reported Burglary to Motor Vehicle incidents.

These incidents have been reported in the Hunters Farm and Foxmoor subdivisions. Items removed from the vehicles include electronics and credit cards and loose change.

Images below are of a suspect in one of the incidents in the Foxmoor subdivision.

Here’s another video:

These incidents appear to crimes of opportunity, as all the vehicle were left unlocked. Please make every effort to protect your belonging by bringing them into your home and locking your doors.

If you have any information to assist in solving these crimes or identifying the suspect, please contact Fox River Grove Police Department at 847-639-2411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-7867.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

On January 29th, 2012, police responded to three separate business burglaries in the downtown area.

Trax Coffee Shop located at 70 E. Woodstock Street, Dawn’s Bread Shop located at 19 N. Williams Street and The Running Depot located at 30 N.Williams Street.

All three businesses had been entered by force during the early morning hours, reporting undisclosed amounts of cash taken.

Police immediately gathered video surveillance from the downtown business district, preserving captured images of a suspect near one of the businesses around the time of the break-in.

Later that same evening police were dispatched to the Metra commuter train depot on Woodstock Street for a suicidal subject.

Police noted that the troubled individual appeared to match the description of the suspect in the surveillance video.

The subject was subsequently identified as Joshua J. Barranco (M/W/DOB02-14-79/3317 South Wesley Ave., Berwyn IL), who was subsequently transported to Woodstock’s Centegra Hospital for an evaluation.

Pursuant to the follow-up investigation police were able to determine that Joshua J. Barranco was responsible for the burglary to the Trax Coffee Shop.

Warrants were obtained for

• one count of Burglary,
• one count of theft, and
• two counts of Criminal Damage to Property.

On Monday, February 6^th, 2012, Crystal Lake Police arrested Joshua J. Barranco immediately upon his release from the hospital. The alleged offender was transported to the McHenry County Jail, with bond set by a Judge at $60,000.

Subsequent to his arrest, police were able to gather additional evidence against Barranco for his involvement with the two other down town burglaries; Dawn’s Bread Shop and the Running Depot.

On February 10, 2012, Barranco was charged with two additional counts of Burglary, three counts of Criminal Damage to Property and two counts of Theft.

He was served at the McHenry County Jail with an additional bond set by a Judge @ $50,000. The case was continued to February 14, 2012.

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

BURGLAR SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Kitt Lechner, 28, of the City of McHenry was sentenced today to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for two counts of the Class 1 felony offense of Residential Burglary.

On June 4, 2011 and June 11, 2011, Kitt Lechner and his wife, Grace Wright burglarized several residences in the City of McHenry.

Also accompanying them for the residential burglaries were their two young children.

Items taken from the residences included

• jewelry,
• a watch and
• several coin containers.

Kitt Lechner was found in possession of some of the items taken, while others were unrecovered.

This case was investigated by the City of McHenry Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Mueller.

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office sent via Nixle:

Two Men Arrested For Residential Burglary and Theft in Unincorporated Algonquin

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of two men for the offense of Residential Burglary and Theft in unincorporated Algonquin Illinois.

On January 2, 2012 a resident in the 9700 block of Zimmer Drive, Algonquin, Illinois reported that while he was away, someone had unlawfully entered his residence and removed numerous items of electronics, jewelry, and currency.

The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division developed information that two subjects, Ivan Suski and Tedi Vasili, were involved in this incident.

Several items belonging to the victim were recovered through follow up investigation.

On January 5, 2012 Ivan Suski was taken into custody, and Tedi Vasili was taken into custody on January 18, 2012.

Both were charged with Residential Burglary and Theft.

Ivan Suski remains incarcerated in the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility, and Tedi Vasili is currently free on bond.

Sheriff Keith Nygren reminds residents that the Sheriff’s Office is available to conduct extra patrols to residences while the homeowners are away for extended periods of time.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office didn’t send out anything to notify the public that one of its SWAT Team members, Greg Pyle, was being sought for arrest for 10 counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Abuse, but today I received the following from the office:

Fox Lake man arrested for string of Vehicle Burglaries in Unicorporated McHenry area

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today that Justin A. Dawson (M/W 22) of Fox Lake, Illinois was arrested for several counts of burglary to motor vehicle and theft.

On January 9, 2012 at 01:47 A.M. members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4900 block of Pistakee Drive in unincorporated McHenry for the report of a suspicious person going through several vehicles in the area.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators developed information which identified Justin A. Dawson as a suspect. Dawson was subsequently interviewed and subsequent proceeds from the vehicles burglaries were recovered.

As a result of the investigation, Dawson was charged with three counts of burglary to motor vehicle and three counts of theft. On January 17, 2012 Justin turned himself into the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility without incident.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds homeowners to properly secure their vehicles, use adequate lighting around their property, and consider using an alarm system to help deter criminal activity.