Buffalo Grove man admits $38,000 theft

A Buffalo Grove man was placed on probation for 30 months Friday after he admitted stealing more than $38,000 from a Riverwoods house where he was a party guest.

Daniel McGovern, 19, pleaded guilty to felony theft during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge George Bridges.

Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Larue said McGovern, of the 2400 block of Plazzo Drive, attended a party Oct. 9 at a house in the 2900 block of Duffy Lane in Riverwoods.

While at the party, McGovern took $38,897 worth of cash, coins and jewelry from various locations inside the house.

Riverwoods police were able to locate some of the missing items at a Vernon Hills pawnshop and traced their sale to McGovern.

In accepting the negotiated plea, Bridges ordered McGovern to make full restitution to the victim through payments of not less than $800 per month.

Bridges also ordered McGovern to perform 100 hours of public service, and told McGovern he will spend six months in jail if he violates any condition of his probation.

Larue said McGovern could have faced up to five years in prison if he had been convicted after a trial.