5 charged in Aurora jewelry theft

Five men have been charged with the theft of several pieces of jewelry Tuesday from an 89-year-old Aurora man on the city's far west side, authorities said Wednesday.

Aurora police said four of the men were charged with two counts of theft and one count of burglary. They are: Sonny Miller, 34, and Lewis Miller, 38, of the 2500 block of West Palmer in Chicago; Steve Miller, 52, of the 4100 block of North Kimball in Chicago; and Mike Miller, 37, of the 8200 block of North Milwaukee in Chicago.

A fifth man, Sandy Baker, 33, of the 2900 block of West Nelson, Chicago, was charged with two counts of theft.

The incident occurred about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 2500 block of Coach and Surrey Lane in Aurora.

Police said one of the five men gained entry into the victim's house by claiming he had to check for possible water problems.

While he kept the victim busy, three other men entered the house and stole jewelry, police said. The fifth man stayed in their vehicle.

The men didn't know they were being tailed by undercover officers from another community for similar crimes they allegedly committed, authorities said.

After seeing the suspects leave the Aurora home, the undercover officers made contact with the resident who told them he had his jewelry stolen. The undercover officers contacted Aurora police for assistance and followed the suspects' vehicle onto the eastbound Reagan Memorial Tollway from Orchard Road.

Several Aurora police officers and troopers from the Illinois State Police assisted in the pursuit and the men were taken into custody without incident just east of Eola Road about 1 p.m.

Authorities say all five men are related.