A 17-year-old boy is now suspected of being a part of a prolific burglary crew that has been breaking into businesses throughout Chicago for months. The CPD reported the news overnight, stating that the teenager is a member of the same group of thieves and vandals as Charles Kelley, a 19-year-old charged with 17 burglaries.
While Kelley’s accusations only encompass burglaries from September 30, police believe the 17-year-old’s activities began on May 7. The revelation shows that the crew has been operating for far longer than previously thought and that the damage and theft losses suffered by this tiny handful of crooks may be significantly more than previously thought.
CPD has not identified the youngster because his case is being processed in juvenile court, where records are legally protected from public disclosure. Police said he was detained on Saturday and charged with 17 counts of burglary, one case of attempted burglary, and a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property.
The first burglary he is accused of was committed at a company in the 2400 block of North Clark Street around 3:30 a.m. on May 7. That location is noteworthy not only because the crime occurred six months ago, providing insight into how long the crew may have been operating, but also because the same block of Clark Street was recently ravaged by a burglary crew that smashed into more than a dozen storefronts. The adolescent has not been charged in connection with the recent break-ins, but he is accused of another burglary on the same block early on September 30.
During the night of September 30, the adolescent allegedly broke into shops in the 2900 block of North Clark Street, the 2700 block of North Ashland Avenue, the 2300 block of West Chicago Avenue, and the 800 block of North Western Avenue. Kelley has also been charged in the first three of these incidents.
The adolescent is suspected of targeting 12 businesses early on October 15. The businesses were located in the 4600 block of South Bishop Street; the 4300, 6900, and 8600 blocks of South Ashland Avenue; the 9100 block of South Ashland Avenue; the 100 block of West 95th Street; and seven companies in the 2100 block of West 95th Street. Kelley is also charged in numerous of the crimes.
As recently as Thursday, a burglary gang broke into more than ten establishments on two blocks of North Wells Street in Old Town, prompting Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) to renew calls for police to use technology to follow fleeing suspects without resorting to risky vehicle pursuits.
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