Alabama men suspects in more than 40 burglaries; two in Lake County

Two Alabama men have been arrested and charged with burglaries in multiple states throughout the Midwest, Lincolnshire Police officials said Tuesday.

Jason Keith Hudgins, 29, of Auburn, Ala., and Andrew John Evans, 34, of Fultondale, Ala., are charged with burglary and criminal damage to property in Lake County, Lincolnshire Investigator John-Erik Anderson said. They are also suspected in more than 40 burglaries in Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.

Anderson said police responded to a burglary to a business in the 400 block of Milwaukee Avenue on March 14 at 3:19 a.m. The door was found pried open and a cash drawer stolen from the business.

Earlier that night, Highland Park Police discovered a door pried open and a cash drawer stolen from a business at Green Bay Road and Park Avenue, he said.

Video surveillance from both businesses revealed a silver Dodge Avenger was used by the offenders.

Investigators determined the vehicle also was used in two burglaries March 14 in downstate Montgomery County, Anderson said.

Police were informed to be on the look out for the vehicle, and it was spotted with Missouri plates on March 19 by Wheeling Police. However, the suspects escaped.

Later that day, the vehicle was spotted in Franklin, Wis. Hudgins was arrested, but Evans escaped and fled in the vehicle. On March 29, the Avenger was spotted in Indianapolis, Ind., and Evans was arrested.

A Lake County grand jury indicted the two on charges of burglary and criminal damage to property for the April 21 break-ins in Lincolnshire and Highland Park.

However, it could be awhile before the two are before a judge in Lake County as they also face burglary charges in Cook and Montgomery counties in Illinois, and escape charges in Alabama. They are also being investigated by other departments regarding break-ins in Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.