3 teens with clean records face felony burglary charges

Three 17-year-olds about to start their senior years at Conant High School in Hoffman were released from jail Saturday after posting $1,000 bail each on felony burglary charges.

As their mother wept softly in a Rolling Meadows courtroom, twin brothers Andrew P. and Matthew C. Unger of the 100 block of East Beech Drive in Schaumburg were charged with breaking into a handful of suburban business and institutions. Also charged in the spree was Jack A. Koestler of the 400 block of Springwood Drive in Roselle.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Lesley Gool said the trio were apprehended after a juvenile girl who is a former friend of Koestler told Schaumburg police the teens were "constantly bragging about the break-ins." All three signed confessions to burglaries and police recovered some stolen property, Gool said.

Andrew Unger faces six counts of burglary, his brother faces five counts and Koestler is charged with four. Penalties for felony burglary from a business range from probation to seven years in prison.

The teens' cases differ from most burglary cases because none of the defendants, all appearing before Cook County Associate Judge Alfred L. Levinson wearing the shorts and T-shirts from when they were picked up by police, has a criminal or juvenile record. They reportedly are better than average students and have aspirations of going to college.

The crime spree includes the thefts of two laptop computers from Aldrin Elementary School in Schaumburg, bottles of alcohol from Schaumburg restaurants Lalo's and Chandler's, money from a YMCA in Schaumburg, and more alcohol from Fox Run Golf Links in Elk Grove Village, according to court documents.

Among the conditions of their bond, one Unger teen will live with his mother, the other with his father, and all three defendants must remain in their homes between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 5 in Rolling Meadows.