Former student charged in Wheaton College burglaries

A former Wheaton College student has been charged with stealing iPhones, a watch and a MacBook from dorm rooms at the school, authorities said Thursday.

Sion Park, an 18-year-old freshman, was charged with two counts of residential burglary. His bail was set at $100,000.

Authorities say Park entered unlocked dorm rooms over the past several weeks and stole items from at least two of them. School officials were made aware of the thefts and contacted Wheaton police.

The investigation led police to Park, and he was taken into custody Thursday afternoon without incident and taken to the DuPage County jail.

"The allegations that Mr. Park stole valuables worth thousands of dollars from his fellow classmates are unacceptable and will be met with the full force of the law," DuPage County State's Attormey Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "Not only did Mr. Park allegedly violate his peer's personal space, he also caused an educational hardship on at least one occasion by allegedly stealing a student's computer."

"Wheaton College is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for all members of the community," Paul Chelsen, the school's vice president for student development, said. "We are concerned by these allegations and will continue to cooperate with authorities."

Park's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 28 in front of Judge Robert Miller. If he makes bail, he was ordered to surrender his passport.