Crime & Safety

Elmhurst Police Identify Three Burglary Suspects After Working with Nearby Departments

Burglaries in Melrose Park and Westchester lead Elmhurst police to persons of interest.

The following information was provided by the Elmhurst Police Department:

Police announced at the Elmhurst City Council meeting Monday that by working in cooperation with nearby police departments, they have apprehended three people suspected of burglarizing Elmhurst homes.

Because of the rash of burglaries in town, Elmhurst police set up a surveillance operation in Melrose Park, according to a statement released Tuesday by Interim Police Chief Dominic Panico.

On March 14, they witnessed Sergio J. Toutges, 40, of Addison repeatedly knock on the door of a home on the 800 block of Elise in Melrose Park, then enter the home by force. Jennifer L. Toutges, 25, also of Addison, waited in the vehicle. They are both "persons of interest" in connection with a number of burglaries in Elmhurst, according to the statement.

After Sergio left the home, he entered the waiting car and the two took off, police said. Elmhurst officers, with the assistance of Oak Park police, stopped the vehicle and took them both into custody. They were charged by Melrose Park police with residential burglary. Elmhurst police are continuing their investigation into the connection with Elmhurst burglaries.

In another case, acting on information provided by the Westchester Police Department March 15, Elmhurst police identified Jeffrey Hayley, 21, formerly of Villa Park, as responsible for at least one residential burglary and one attempted residential burglary in Elmhurst, the statement says.

Westchester police were able to arrest him and charge him with residential burglary after they responded to a compliant about a suspicious person knocking on residents' doors.

Elmhurst police continue to investigate his connection with additional Elmhurst burglaries.

Panico reminds residents and businesses to stay vigilant and report any suspicious people or vehicles immediately to 911.

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"It is through this diligence that we can all work together to make Elmhurst safe," Panico said.

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