Des Plaines man gets six years for stealing from senior
A Des Plaines man admitted stealing jewelry from a Palatine senior earlier this year and was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday.
Tony Miller, 48, pleaded guilty to residential burglary. Miller, who received credit for 144 days in custody, must complete at least 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release.
Prosecutors say Miller told the caretaker for a 71-year-old Palatine homeowner that she had arranged for him to trim some trees in her backyard. Miller escorted the caretaker to the back of the home, where he pointed out the work he was supposed to do. At the same time, prosecutors said, Miller was using a two-way radio to speak with another person.
Miller left the house and drove off with two other men, prosecutors said. Soon after, the homeowner and her caretaker discovered several drawers open and several items missing.
Members of the Illinois State Police Ruse Burglary Task Force and Chicago police identified Miller as a suspect in the robbery and the caretaker identified him as the man who had been in her employer's house.