Cops: Streamwood robbery suspect hid guns under baby crib

Police surrounded the home of an 18-year-old Streamwood man and charged him in connection to what they called "a series of burglary investigations in multiple jurisdictions."

Blake Wheeler was arrested at his home on the 700 block of Ridge Circle and faces three robbery-related felony charges, Bartlett police said.

The specially trained Northern Illinois Police Alarm System team surrounded the home at 4:15 a.m. Monday, waking up residents of the normally quiet Streamwood neighborhood. The officers wore armored gear, and neighbors said they saw flares deployed.

A search of the split-level home recovered three guns, two of which were found beneath a baby crib mattress, a Cook County state's attorney's office spokesman said. Police said they found a .30-caliber and .38-caliber Winchester rifles and a .41-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver.

Also found were a set of cufflinks and two watches stolen on July 29 from a Schaumburg home, the state's attorney's office added.

Bartlett police said Wheeler was arrested and charged with three felonies - residential burglary, aggravated possession of stolen firearms and possession of stolen property - but it was unclear from a Bartlett police news release which incidents those charges stem from. Police were not available to provide further details.

Authorities said they're investigating Wheeler's possible involvement in similar crimes in Kane and McHenry counties.

Less than three weeks ago, Bartlett police had charged Wheeler with attempted residential robbery in connection with an incident on the 1500 block of Old Barn Road, police said, adding Wheeler and a 20-year-old Chicago man were arrested after driving from the scene.

Streamwood Deputy Police Chief Jim Gremo confirmed his department's assistance with Monday's arrest. He said his officers established a perimeter around the area and helped direct traffic.

Wheeler is being held on $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear on Sept. 2 in Cook County Court in Rolling Meadows, the state's attorney's office said.