Police: Good Samaritan Snow-Shoveler Was Burlgar Casing A Home
ROUND LAKE PARK, Ill. (STMW) -- Police say a far north suburban man offered to shovel a driveway to learn when the home would be empty, then returned to break into the home and take cash, jewelry and other items.
The burglary in 500 block of Forest Glen Drive in Round Lake Park was reported to police on Monday, according to Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko.
During a routine follow-up interview with the homeowner, detectives discovered Sean Mayer, of the 500 block of Arbor Drive, had previously been to the home during last week's snow to offer to shovel the driveway.
During a brief conversation with the homeowner, Mayer determined what times the victim was at work and when the home would be empty, Filenko said.
The burglar forced entry into the home through a basement window, taking cash, jewelry, a laptop computer, an Xbox system and other items valued at approximately $3,000, Filenko said. All the items, with the exception of $30 in cash, were recovered at Mayer's home.
Mayer was taken into custody by Round Lake Park detectives Tuesday evening and charged with residential burglary, a Class 1 Felony.
"It's unfortunate that a friendly conversation with someone in your own neighborhood could have ulterior motives," Filenko said.
Mayer was being held at the Lake County Jail.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
