Lindenhurst man denies burglary spree allegations
A Lindenhurst man accused of burglarizing several homes in August pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges Wednesday in Lake County court.
Joshua M. Joyce, 20, of the 200 block of Beck Road, denied charges of residential burglary, burglary, theft and criminal damage to property stemming from a string of break-ins in his hometown.
If found guilty of the most serious residential burglary charge, Joyce could spend up to 15 years in prison, Lake County Judge George Bridges said in court. Joyce is out of custody after posting 10 percent of his $50,000 bail.
He was arrested Aug. 8, authorities said, after a neighbor of a would-be burglary victim spotted Joyce's vehicle in the neighborhood, recorded its license plate number and gave it, as well as a description of its driver, to police.
According to police, Joyce broke into several homes on Egret Court and Rolling Ridge Lane in Lindenhurst. The exact number of homes is unknown, authorities said, but police say he went from house to house, stealing from unlocked cars and residences.
Among the items stolen, police said, were a GPS unit, radar detectors, a laptop computer, a video game, and credit cards. Joyce was able to use some of the credit cards prior his arrest him, authorities said.
Defense attorney Daniel Zeit and Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Matthew DeMartini did not comment following Wednesday's hearing.
Joyce's trial date is scheduled for Jan. 13. He is due back in court Dec. 3.