2 accused in rash of residential burglaries

Two men have been arrested for a string of Rolling Meadows home burglaries, according to police.

Since April 8, the Rolling Meadows Police Department received four reports of similar burglaries in the area of Meacham Road between Algonquin Road and Euclid Avenue, according to Sgt. Anthony Gaspari.

Items taken included large flat-panel televisions, laptop computers and jewelry, Gaspari said.

After surveillance of the neighborhood, police said they spotted two men -- James E. Van Hoose, 33, of Hoffman Estates and Jerry L. Betke, 48, of Palatine -- burglarizing a home on the 5100 block of Old Plum Grove Road around 9 p.m. Monday.

Van Hoose was taken into custody at the scene while Betke fled the area in a car, crashing into a parked car before escaping on foot, police said. Betke was arrested later Tuesday without incident, they said.

Van Hoose was charged with two counts of burglary. Betke was charged with one count of burglary, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding officers.

Police are investigating other burglaries in Rolling Meadows and in Streamwood to see if Van Hoose and Betke were involved, Gaspari said.

Streamwood police couldn't be reached on Thursday afternoon.

Both men will appear at the Rolling Meadows courthouse for a bond hearing today.