2 charged in suburban burglaries

Two men charged in a St. Charles vehicle burglary are suspected in connection with a host of similar crimes across the suburbs, police said Wednesday.

James D. Shotts, 26, of Naperville, and Kenneth J. Kutella, 40, of Batavia, were arrested in Burr Ridge on Friday after U.S. Marshals tracked them to a hotel using cell phone "pings," police said.

Shotts and Kutella were each charged with burglary to a motor vehicle and three counts of misuse of a credit card in St. Charles. Shotts also was charged with the same offenses in South Elgin, as well as misuse of a credit card and forgery in Huntley, according to court records.

South Elgin Police Sgt. Mike Doty said the men also were questioned by police from Algonquin, Batavia, Burr Ridge, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, Montgomery, Oakbrook Terrace, South Barrington, and Vernon Hills.

"The majority of them were investigating not so much burglaries, but the use of credit cards in their towns," Doty said.

In South Elgin, police said Shotts broke out the window of a vehicle parked at a fitness center in mid-April, stealing a purse, wallet and credit cards that were later used to make purchases in the Tri-Cities.

In St. Charles, police spokesman Paul McCurtain said both men burglarized a vehicle, also parked at a fitness facility, on May 11, stealing credit cards they "used right away" to buy more than $300 in gift cards, video games and tools.

Local police said it wasn't immediately clear if the men faced additional charges in other jurisdictions.

"We'd like to remind people, if you have any valuables in your vehicle, please make sure they're hidden or taken out," Doty said. "If you leave your wallet, purse or GPS out in the open, there's a greater likelihood it will be taken."

Shotts is scheduled to appear in Kane County court Tuesday. Kutella's court date was not immediately available.