Wheeling boy charged with five burglaries

A 16-year-old Wheeling boy burglarized two Wheeling homes and three Prospect Heights businesses and a home in January and early February, according to a statement from the Prospect Heights Police Department.

Police tracked down the boy at about 11 a.m. on Friday by following footprints from the scene of a home burglary on Drake Avenue, said Prospect Heights Police Chief Jamie Dunne.

“The path ended at some points and picked up at later points,” Dunne said. “The officer was able to eventually locate the suspect at his condominium.”

Police found the boy with some stolen items including jewelry, a Play Station 3, iPad and laptop computer, according to police.

After interviewing the boy, police also charged him with the following Prospect Heights burglaries: cash stolen on Jan. 21 from the Convenient Mart, 1203. N Elmhurst Road; lottery tickets and cigarettes stolen on Jan. 27 from the Convenient Mart, 1203 N. Elmhurst Road; and cash register stolen on Feb. 7 from S and G Liquor, 828 N. Elmhurst Road.

He was also charged with another Wheeling home burglary, Dunne said.

The boy — who is a Wheeling High School sophomore — was turned over to his family and is awaiting a court date.