Teens Charged With Thefts From Cars In Forest Preserves
MARKHAM, Ill. (CBS) -- Two teens have been charged with a string of burglaries in south suburban forest preserves.
As WBBM Newsradio's Lisa Fielding reports, Jaton Harris, 19, of Calumet Park; and Brian Payne, 18, of Hammond, Ind., are charged with four counts of burglary, in connection with thefts from vehicles in parking lots at three forest preserves, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Lisa Fielding reports
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As part of the investigation, police set up a sting in which they left a purse as bait in a car parked in the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve. Police placed the area under surveillance, and sure enough, the two young men drove up, broke the car's window and took the purse.
Police chased the men, whose vehicle struck a fence and municipal water tank before it was stopped. Police were able to link the pair to three additional burglaries in Yankee Woods in Oak Forest, Midlothian Meadows in Midlothian, and Vollmer Woods in Country Club Hills.
Harris and Payne are each charged with four counts of burglary. They have been charged with thefts that occurred between July 27 and Aug. 8.
Harris is also facing one count of criminal damage to property for striking the water tank while being pursued.
Markham Judge Darren Bowden set bonds at $5,000 each and set preliminary hearings for Sept. 7.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
