Tips lead to arrest in Fox Lake gas station break-in

Police are crediting tips from the public for leading to the arrest of a 21-year-old Fox Lake man charged with breaking into a gas station earlier this week. Jerry Donnelly, address unknown, faces a charge of burglary alleging he broke a glass door to get into the Mobil Gas Station at 511 Grand Ave. on June 12 and stole several items inside, authorities said.

If found guilty, Donnelly could be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison. He also faces an obstructing justice charge alleging he gave officers a false name when he was arrested. He remained held in Lake County jail Thursday awaiting a bond hearing, officials said.

Officers responding to an alarm at 11:30 p.m. Monday found a broken glass door and large pieces of asphalt in the entryway, according to a Fox Lake police news release Thursday.

During their investigation, officers obtained video and photographs of the suspect inside the gas station. Those photographs were posted Wednesday on the village's Facebook page, and within hours investigators received several responses that led them to Donnelly, authorities said.

Police later received a tip that Donnelly was at a home in Ingleside, where he was arrested after first trying to escape from officers on foot.

Once in custody, Donnelly gave officers a false name, officials said. He was taken to the Fox Lake police station, where his identity was confirmed through his physical characteristics and various tattoos, police said.

Fox Lake Police Chief Jimmy Lee said the tips provided through the Facebook site helped solve the crime.

"A strong partnership between the citizens and the police department is essential to protecting our community," Lee said.