Man with mob ties denies Lincolnshire burglary

A reputed mobster charged with burglarizing a Lincolnshire house pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Mario Rainone, 54, faces a mandatory prison sentence of between four and 15 years if convicted of residential burglary.

Rainone, of Addison, and Vincent Forliano, 39, of Bloomingdale, were arrested Feb. 12 as they drove toward Rainone's house after the burglary.

Police said the pair had been under surveillance for about a month by a task force of detectives from several jurisdictions.

Police were watching as the two men met at a gym in Bloomingdale, and followed them as they got into one car and drove to the home on Trafalgar Square in Lincolnshire.

Police said they watched as the men walked into the condominium complex, then emerged a few minutes later with property hidden under their coats.

Part of the surveillance team stayed at the Trafalgar Square residence while a second car of officers followed Rainone and Forliano to Addison where they were arrested.

A purse, passport, jewelry and cash taken from the Lincolnshire residence were found in the car the men were in, police said.

Rainone has a history of arrests dating to the 1970s and in 1991 was convicted of racketeering and conspiracy in federal court for his activities as a member of the Leonard Patrick Street Crew. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said Rainone has convictions for attempted burglary in Lake County in 1977, a 1978 burglary in Cook County and a 1991 residential burglary in DuPage.

Rainone is also facing charges in federal court based on a stolen gun that was found in his home, and is under investigation in scores of burglaries in Lake, Cook and DuPage counties.

Associate Judge George Bridges scheduled a trial for April 20 and ordered Rainone, who is being held on $500,000 bond, to appear in court again April 7.

Forliano is being held on $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 25.