Police: DNA ties Des Plaines man to two burglaries

A Des Plaines man was arrested last week after DNA evidence connected him to two burglaries and a van theft in the city, police said.

Jeffrey Ronowski, 46, of the 100 block of East Northwest Highway, is charged with burglary, burglary from a motor Vehicle and motor vehicle theft.

The first burglary occurred in August 2020 at Metro Self Storage, 1800 Busse Highway. The intruder damaged a fence to enter the property and then stole tools from a parked car, police said.

A portion of a latex glove was discovered in the car and taken as evidence, as well as a fingerprint.

The second burglary occurred in January at Reston Inc., 76 N. Broadway St. The intruder stole a van, televisions, cash and cellphones.

The van later was found abandoned in Park Ridge. Three DNA samples were taken off the steering wheel, police said.

All the samples were sent to the Illinois State Police crime lab, and they linked Ronowski to both crimes, police said. He was arrested July 22 at his home.

Ronowski is set to appear Tuesday at the Skokie courthouse.