Man gets 30 days for burglarizing churches
One of the final defendants involved in a string of church break-ins in Wheaton will serve a short stint in jail for his role in the brazen crimes.
Nedim Sivcevic, 25, of Lombard was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to burglary. He also must serve two years' probation when set free.
Police zeroed in on four men while investigating a string of burglaries to churches and at least one college in Wheaton. In all, thieves broke into 15 sanctuaries and institutions dating back to July 3, 2006.
Detectives developed leads on two men, Alen Kalember and Stojan Suznjevic, through DNA evidence after the men cut themselves while climbing through a broken window at a World Relief office.
Then, on Oct. 19, 2006, thieves used a brick to smash a window at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1753 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton. A janitor called police to report seeing three men fleeing with computer equipment. He provided license information.
They didn't get far.
"We recognized the registered owner to be Kalember and were able to catch them on their way home," Wheaton police Cmdr. Joseph Eversole said.
Police arrested Sivcevic; Kalember, 20, of Carol Stream; and a third man, Mirnes Logo, 18, of Wheaton, on felony burglary to a house of worship charges. The fourth man, Suznjevic, 24, of Winfield, was arrested a short time later for the World Relief burglary. He also was charged with burglarizing a Wheaton pool in July 2005.
Prosecutors Michael Pawl and Brian Perkins characterized Sivcevic as a minor player in the burglary ring who is tied only to the final break-in at Aldersgate.
"He gave a full confession and cooperated with police," Pawl said.
Kalember admitted to committing eight burglaries. He is serving a five-year prison sentence. Suznjevic received a three-year term.
Entry was gained to the churches through a window or door. Some of the other burglarized institutions include Christ Community Church, St. Mark Catholic Church and Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
At least one church was hit twice. At St. Mark, prosecutors said the thieves snatched a TV/VCR and pilfered money from the donation box before fleeing. At Holy Cross, the burglary occurred during a wedding. The photographer's computer was stolen from a children's play room.
Authorities said a pastor identified at least one of the defendants in a police photo lineup after noticing him during the wedding because he was not formally dressed.
After the arrests, police recovered some of the stolen electronics. Much of the merchandise, though, was sold.
DuPage Circuit Judge Perry Thompson ordered Sivcevic to turn himself in Dec. 21 to begin his jail term. Logo's case is pending. He is enrolled in a court drug-rehabilitation program.