Rash of smash-and-grab burglaries reportedly in Elgin

Following a spate of at least 10 burglaries to cars Sunday, Elgin police are urging residents to lock their vehicle doors and remove valuables from open view or the automobile all together.

"They need to make sure they don't have anything of value that can been seen through the window," Elgin Deputy Chief Cecil Smith said. "People locking their doors helps, too."

The thefts centered on GPS devices, car radios, cell phones and spare change although burglars stole $1,500 worth of golf clubs from a sport utility vehicle.

Smith said authorities did arrest three juveniles in connection with some of the thefts.

Because they were minors, Smith said he could not release any information about the three but noted it was unlikely they were responsible for all the burglaries.

"Part of (the investigation) is still going," he said.

Some of the burglaries occurred in: the 900 block of South Street; at Highland Springs and Robin Lane; in the 500 block of Thorndale Drive; in the 100 block of Concord Drive; the 300 block of Waters Place; the 300 and 400 blocks of Miller Avenue; an unknown location on Ann Street.

In at least two instances, victims told police they saw a white Ford Windstar minivan driving slowly through their neighborhood with its lights off before the burglaries or shortly afterward.

One victim was going to the grocery store about 4:30 a.m. and tried to follow the minivan to get its license plate.

"Once he started gaining on the Windstar it took off at a high rate of speed reaching approximately 100 mph once it got on Route 20 headed westbound," according to police reports.

Residents with information should call police at (847) 289-2700.