Atwater Burglary Unsolved, But a Bold Theft at Mr. Pawn Ends in Arrests

Residential Burglary

Someone entered a locked home on the 400 block of Atwater Avenue between 5:55 and 10:20 p.m. Jan. 6. Police noted that window screens outside the kitchen and master bedroom had been moved, and pry marks were found on the kitchen door.

In the master bedroom, dresser drawers and jewelry boxes were open and watch boxes were scattered on the floor. About $5,100 worth of jewelry and watches was taken.

The neighbors were interviewed with negative results.

Commercial Burglary

Three teenagers were arrested on Jan. 6 after they allegedly were involved in a burglary at Mr. Pawn, 591 N. York Road.

Elmhurst police saw people running from the strip mall at York and Crestview at 3:27 a.m. They fled the scene in an awaiting vehicle. A short time later, police learned that the alarm at Mr. Pawn had been activated.

The front glass window of the shop had been smashed with a large landscaping brick that was found on the floor inside. Four display cases had been smashed and ransacked, and pieces of jewelry were found on the ground outside the business.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. The offenders eventually did stop and fled on foot.

The driver, Angelique J. Perry, 19, 1824 S. Fifth, Maywood, was apprehended, and a perimeter was set up to locate the other two suspects. They were found by K-9 officers hiding in a shed.

Perry was charged with fleeing and eluding and reckless driving. She was released after posting bond. Christie K. Lopez, 18, 6536 S. King, Chicago, was charged with felony burglary and is being held at DuPage County Jail on $7,500 bond.

A third suspect, a juvenile, has burglary charges pending probation review.

Explosion Set Off Under a Car

Several people were arrested after an explosion underneath a vehicle parked on the 800 block of Fairfield at 10:46 p.m. Jan. 7.

Police responded to a call for a suspicious vehicle, and while approaching Hawthorne and Adams, the officer heard the explosion. A green Chevrolet Camero approached the intersection at a high rate of speed. The officer noticed a shower of sparks, flames and smoke coming from beneath a vehicle about a half-block south on Fairfield. He stopped the Camero and fireworks were found inside.

Arrested were Kelly R. Collins, 24, 640 Holly Court, Addison, Max W. Portenkirchner, 21, 4N181 Pine Grove, Bensenville, Jake Strickland, 23, 231 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park, and a 17-year-old boy. They all were charged with possession of fireworks and released on bond.

Man Seen Fondling Himself

A woman told police that while she was walking on the sidewalk at St. Charles Road and Prospect Avenue, she saw a 25- to 30-year-old man with dark hair and a thin mustache fondling himself in his car at a stop sign at 8:25 a.m. Jan. 8. She continued to walk northbound on Prospect, where she saw him again near the college doing the same thing. Police checked the area but the offender was not located.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to contact karenc@patch.com and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.