Spill helped solve Round Lake Park burglary, police say

A sticky substance spilled on the floor of a Round Lake Park paint store during a burglary early Sunday helped police nab three suspects.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Mermel said Michael Johnson, 23, 103 Pineview Drive, Round Lake Park, Roger Werk, 27, of 35366 Route 41, unincorporated Lake County near Gurnee, and Robert Schultz, 26, of 810 Eaton Lane, Lake Villa, were charged with the break-in. Each suspect was held Tuesday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Authorities said the suspects grabbed paint, supplies and $500 cash. The supplies and paint were valued at $500.

Mermel said the owner of a tavern next to Delaware Coatings Inc., 106 E. Main St., called police around 4 a.m. Sunday and said he had just seen three men leave from the rear of the store.

The witness provided descriptions of the trio, Mermel said, and also told Round Lake Park police he saw them walking in the direction of Johnson's house.

Police found a can of the sticky solvent had been spilled on the floor of the store, and theorized it had happened during the burglary.

So when police went to Johnson's home, they asked him, Werk and Schultz to hand over their shoes. Mermel said the substance found on the paint store floor was also on the shoes of Werk and Schultz.

Johnson later admitted to police he had been inside the store as well, Mermel said, and all three were charged with burglary.

Police Chief George Filenko said Delaware Coatings is about 20 yards from Johnson's home. He said Johnson was hosting a yard party attended by the other two suspects when they hatched the break-in idea.

Filenko said entry to the store was gained after a "cheap" rear door was kicked in. He said the trio ransacked the store during the burglary.

"It didn't seem they knew what they were looking for, because they bypassed some expensive equipment," he said.

Filenko said the party was still going on when Johnson, Schultz and Werk returned. He said police interviewed some party guests before the suspects were arrested.

Cops found paint supplies in one vehicle parked in Johnson's driveway, Filenko said. The $500 was found in the house in a Delaware Coatings envelope, he said.

All three face up to seven years in prison and are to appear in court Sept. 16.

Daily Herald Staff Reporter Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.