Three Winfield teens arrested in car burglary probe

Wheaton police arrested three Winfield teens this week in connection with an apparent string of burglaries to vehicles.

Nicholas Jaros, Zack Scheffler and Timothy Hatcher, all 17, were taken to DuPage County jail. Jaros and Scheffler posted 10 percent of their bond Wednesday morning; Hatcher still was being held Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

"These three suspects were arrested due to some excellent patrol work," Wheaton Deputy Chief Thomas Meloni said.

At 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wheaton officers discovered a vehicle burglary in the 800 block of East Farnham Lane. Officers also heard a car alarm sounding, police said.

Shortly thereafter, a resident in the 700 block of Queenswood Lane reported seeing three people flee their neighborhood in a red vehicle, police said.

Police said they searched the area, located the vehicle and the suspects and detained them.

As a result of the investigation, officers also discovered burglaries to vehicles in the 1900 block of Buckingham Court, 1500 block of Castlewood Drive, 2000 block of Cromwell Drive, 500 and 700 block of Devonshire Lane, 1900 block of Gladstone Drive, 1500 block of Haverhill Drive, 70 block of Hawkins Circle and 1700 block of Mustang Court.

A total of 11 vehicles were burglarized Tuesday morning and police said stolen items included money, an iPod, computer equipment, a camera and a satellite radio.

Investigators still are trying to determine whether the incidents are linked.

Meloni said in the past seven months, police have seen a 126 percent increase in burglaries to vehicles.

"In most of the cases, the vehicles are left unlocked, making it easy for suspects to enter vehicles and steal valuables," Meloni said. "It's very important for residents to keep their cars locked at all times when they're not in it."