Palatine car burglar gets probation

A Palatine man was placed on probation for 30 months Monday for a series of “smash and grab” burglaries from cars parked at Lake County health clubs.

Lake County Circuit Judge John Phillips also ordered Michael Matusek, 27, to serve 18 months in jail when he is not attending drug counseling.

Assistant State's Attorney Steven Derue said Matusek, of the 800 block of Plum Grove Road, was arrested in March after three similar car burglaries.

Derue said Matusek targeted cars in which women had left their purses after driving to health clubs and going inside.

Matusek would smash out a window in the cars and grab the purses, Derue said, then use credit cards he found inside to purchase gift cards.

Matusek pleaded guilty to burglary for crimes committed Feb. 10 at the Center Club in Libertyville, Feb. 15 at the Barrington Fitness Center in Barrington and Feb. 22 at the Buffalo Grove Fitness Center in Buffalo Grove.

Matusek told police the burglaries were fueled by his need to obtain heroin.

Derue asked Phillips to sentence Matusek to prison, saying Matusek has a criminal record dating to 2001 and has failed several attempts at drug rehabilitation.

Assistant Public Defender Karen Levi asked for probation and treatment for her client, saying Matusek had “hit bottom” and was serious about his desire to turn around his life.

Phillips said he was reluctantly giving Matusek another chance at probation and treatment, and warned him that his failure to comply with the provisions of this sentence would result in a lengthy stay in prison.