Teen pleads guilty in Gurnee car break-ins

One of three teens accused of breaking into cars in the Providence Village subdivision of Gurnee pleaded guilty Monday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Evan Sallis, 17, was placed on probation for one year after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.

Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Matthews said Sallis, of 5337 Mahogany Court in Gurnee, was with Matthew Tripp and Michael Laws, both 17, during the early morning hours of June 19.

A woman living in the 600 block of Lexington Court heard her car door slam about 2:50 a.m. and saw three people standing in her driveway.

The woman and her husband walked out of the house and called police after the three people ran away as they approached.

Police searched the area and found that cars in the 600 block of Cross Court and 4000 block of Providence Road had also been entered.

Electronic items and small amounts of cash were taken from each of the three vehicles, Matthews said.

The suspects later were found in the garage at Laws' residence at 4715 Middle Road in Gurnee, and all three were charged with burglary.

Matthews said he agreed to reduce the charge against Sallis in exchange for the guilty plea and because Sallis has no prior criminal history.

Laws and Tripp, of 34124 Homestead in Warren Township, have both pleaded not guilty to burglary and are due in court again Nov. 13.

Circuit Judge Fred Foreman ordered Sallis to perform 100 hours of community service while on probation and told him he must testify against Laws and Tripp if called on to do so.