Resident's call alerts North Aurora police to suspected car burglar

North Aurora police are crediting a resident who acted on a suspicion for helping catch a man accused of car burglary.

The resident called them around 5:15 a.m. Monday to report a suspicious vehicle on the 100 block of Briar Lane. A red Toyota four-door vehicle had been parked in front of a house for about 45 minutes, and the driver walked away, the caller reported.

Police began looking for the driver and discovered an unlocked gray Chevrolet sedan at that address that was missing a garage-door opener.

A short time later, they arrested Jovany Marquez-Venegas of Aurora as he got out of a white Toyota Camry on the 200 block of Briar Lane. He matched the description of the man who was seen leaving the red Toyota, police said, and the Camry did not belong to him.

The owner told officers that a pocket knife and $26 had been stolen out of the Camry.

Police also believe Marquez-Venegas entered two other vehicles, on the 100 block of Dee Road and the 300 block of Hill Avenue, but did not take anything.

Marquez-Venegas, 19, of the 700 block of Pierce Street, was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle and criminal trespass to a vehicle. He is free on $1,000 bail.

Police recovered a black-and-green iPod, a gray Visa gift card, a black Harbor Freight flashlight and a silver Element flashlight that they think are stolen items, and asked people who are missing such items to call them at (630) 897-8705.

Other car burglaries were reported in the area, but police haven't determined if they are related to the Marquez-Venegas case.

Three were burglarized on the 200 block of Hill Avenue, and two on the 100 block of Dee Road. A ratchet, loose change and $100 were stolen.

Police said all of the burglarized vehicles were unlocked.