Wayne man accused of car theft, house burglaries

A former Wayne resident has been charged with breaking into two houses in the exclusive community and stealing a laptop computer, money and a car.

Evan Nelson, 22, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Kane County Circuit Court records.

He appeared in bond court Thursday before Judge Karen Simpson. He told her he was homeless and had been living in abandoned houses. But according to circuit court clerk’s online record, he lived on the 33W200 block of Shagbark Road.

Nelson is charged with breaking in to two houses Dec. 23 and stealing a laptop computer, money and a car. He was arrested Dec. 26, and told police he had sold the computer to get money to buy heroin, according to prosecutors.

He also faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass and three misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison, without possibility of probation, on the most serious charge, residential burglary.

Bail on all charges totals $100,000, and his next court date is Jan. 3.

Wayne police could not be reached for comment for details on the alleged crimes.