South Elgin man charged with stealing electricity
A South Elgin man is accused of burning ComEd out of thousands of dollars by doctoring an outdoor electric box to illegally obtain power, police said.
Police say Jesus Correa-Mendoza, 45, admitted he had been stealing power for between five and six years from the utility, but said a buddy of his actually fiddled with the box.
The investigation originated with the Department of Homeland Security, said Sgt. Mike Doty.
The agency asked South Elgin police to launch a probe and Detective Brian Polkinghorn in turn contacted ComEd, he said.
Homeland Security, in conjunction with the South Elgin Police Department, executed a search warrant at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at Correa-Mendoza's home in the 1000 block of Mark Street.
During the search, police seized the box and arrested Correa-Mendoza, Polkinghorn said.
Correa-Mendoza had been living in the house for at least 13 years and stole more than $5,000 in electricity, Doty said.
ComEd originally cut Correa-Mendoza's power for non payment in July 2006, said ComEd spokeswoman Alicia Zatkowski. Police say they have evidence that shows Correa-Mendoza has not paid an electric bill since then.
Correa-Mendoza was charged with theft over $300, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful interference with the public utility services, a Class A misdemeanor.
During a police interview, Correa-Mendoza said an unnamed, now deported friend tampered with the box, Polkinghorn said. But there is no need for police to find that person, Polkinghorn said.
“The fact that (Correa-Mendoza) had knowledge and benefitted from it allows us to charge him with it,” Polkinghorn said. “He acknowledged that he was illegally obtaining power.”
Correa-Mendoza's bail was set at $250,000 and he is due in court Dec. 30 at the Kane County Judicial Center.
If found guilty of the more serious charge, Correa-Mendoza faces between two and five years behind bars.
Meanwhile, ComEd, police and Homeland Security continue to investigate.
Homeland Security did not respond to an interview request.