Naperville birthday burglar gets jail time, stern warning

A Naperville teen who tried to break in to a house on his birthday to buy himself a present was sentenced Tuesday to six months in the DuPage County jail.

Circuit Court Judge George Bakalis gave Michael A. Wells Jr. a stern warning that he faces a sure prison term if he gets into trouble again. Wells also must get his GED and serve 30 months' probation.

He faced a possible sentence of probation or three to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted residential burglary.

He admitted trying on May 13 -- his 19th birthday -- to burglarize a house on the 30W300 block of McGregor Lane, just outside Naperville. The homeowners were out at the time.

A neighbor dialed 911 after spotting Wells trying to gain entry.

Wells apologized before being sentenced. His criminal history began as a juvenile and includes prior arrests for criminal trespass to residence, theft and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

"He told police it was his birthday and he just wanted to steal something to sell so that he could treat himself to a nice birthday present," prosecutor Thomas O'Connor said in arguing for a five-year prison term.

The homeowners said they moved to Naperville 14 years ago, in part, for its safety. They now make sure all their doors and windows are locked and are considering buying a security system.

"Although we would have had concerns about living in parts of the city of Chicago, at no point were we concerned about living in a residential area in the western suburb of Naperville," the homeowner said. "The thought of having your own home violated opens up other concerns as to what would happen to you personally if you were in the home at the time of the break-in. We are left with a feeling of insecurity."

Wells, of 508 Innsbrook in Naperville, has remained in jail since his arrest on a $100,000 bond. He will be set free after serving half the jail term, according to standard sentencing guidelines for nonviolent offenses.