Man sentenced to 12 years for stealing from seniors in Elmhurst

A 31-year-old Chicago man was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison for stealing and pawning jewelry from the homes of residents of an Elmhurst senior living facility where he once worked, authorities said.

Eugene Dorsey, of the 4000 block of Grace Street, in June entered a guilty plea to 11 counts of residential burglary. He was sentenced Tuesday by Judge George Bakalis.

Authorities said Elmhurst police began their investigation Nov. 11, 2015, when they received a report of jewelry stolen from a resident's unit on the independent-living side of the Park Place senior facility. The facility is divided into an independent-living side and an assisted-living side.

Police said their investigation led them to Dorsey, who worked on the assisted-living side of the facility.

On several occasions between Nov. 4 and Nov. 25, 2015, Dorsey entered at least 11 residents' units at the facility and stole items that included rings, bracelets and necklaces. He pawned the jewelry, authorities said.

"Thinking only of himself, Mr. Dorsey stole thousands of dollars worth of valuables, many of which held significant sentimental value, from his victims," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "The fact that all of his victims are more than 80 years old and had placed a tremendous amount of trust in Mr. Dorsey, makes his crimes particularly appalling."

Dorsey must serve half his sentence before being eligible for parole, officials said.