Chicago man charged with burglaries at Elmhurst senior living facility

A 29-year-old Chicago man has been charged with eight counts of residential burglary for stealing and pawning jewelry from the homes of at least eight residents of an Elmhurst senior living facility, authorities said.

Bail has been set at $300,000 for Eugene Dorsey of the 4000 block of Grace Street. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 28.

Authorities said Elmhurst police began their investigation Nov. 11 when they received a report of jewelry stolen from a resident's home on the independent-living side of the Park Place senior facility. The facility is divided into an independent-living side and an assisted-living side.

Police said their investigation led them to Dorsey, who worked on the assisted-living side of the facility.

On several occasions between Nov. 4 and Nov. 25, police said, Dorsey entered homes at the facility and stole items that include rings, bracelets and necklaces. Police said he then pawned the jewelry.

An arrest warrant was issued Dec. 11 and he was taken into custody Tuesday without incident.

"The allegations that Mr. Dorsey stole valuables worth thousands of dollars from seniors, all of whom are more than 80 years old, is unconscionable," DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement. "As one of society's most vulnerable populations, our seniors deserve our love and respect. They do not deserve to have their valuables stolen from them and pawned, as is alleged in this case."