Man charged with stealing more than $10K in camera equipment from Hampshire neighbor

A 26-year-old man accused of stealing cameras and photography equipment from his Hampshire neighbor has posted bail after turning himself in on felony burglary and theft charges.

Authorities issued an arrest warrant this month for Layton J. Jones, 26, of the 1000 block of Turin Drive, on charges he stole more than $10,000 in camera equipment and a check he later forged for $500, according to Kane County court records.

Jones turned himself into police Monday and posted 10% of his $60,000 bail, records show.

According to a police affidavit used to secure a search warrant for Jones' residence, Jones' neighbor became suspicious after cameras and lenses were missing from his townhouse, also on the 1000 block of Turin Drive.

The victim, a professional photographer, reported the theft Aug. 2. An arrest warrant was issued several days later, court records show.

According to the affidavit, the victim woke up the night of July 30 to check his back sliding door and found it was unlocked.

The next day, Jones, who was using a fake name, went to the victim's house acting "distraught" that one of his friends had been killed in Chicago, according to the affidavit. Jones was talking on his phone with his back turned when the victim heard a "click" and later noticed his back door had been unlocked.

The victim also reported a personal check missing from his house that had been cashed for $500 in Skokie, according to the affidavit.

Police ran the license plates of cars parked in Jones' driveway and learned his real identity. Hampshire police learned Jones had visited pawnshops in Stone Park, Franklin Park and Skokie, according to the affidavit.

Authorities learned four camera lenses Jones sold at a Stone Park pawnshop matched missing equipment on a list provided by the victim. A Nikon camera and four other lenses sold at the Franklin Park location also matched the victim's stolen property list, according to the affidavit.

Messages left for Hampshire police Monday and Tuesday were not returned.

Jones is charged with residential burglary, two counts of theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000 and forgery, court records show.

He is next due in court Sept. 5 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to 15 years in prison on the most severe charge of residential burglary.