5 arrested in string of Mill Creek burglaries

Five people -- including four teenagers -- have been arrested in connection with at least 11 burglaries and thefts in September in the Mill Creek subdivision.

The juveniles, three of them 15 and the other 14, are accused of nine burglaries to homes and vehicles between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24 in the unincorporated subdivision west of Geneva.

Kane County sheriff's Lt. Patrick Gengler said many of the burglaries were those of opportunity, such as an unlocked vehicle or open garage at night.

In one incident, a laptop computer was stolen from the first floor of a home.

"When people actively enter a house to burglarize, that's more serious," Gengler said. "For these nine incidents, we knew we've got the kids involved in that."

Gengler said authorities believe the four teens -- all from Geneva Township -- were working together. Other items stolen included: a case of beer, an iPod and a global positioning device.

Further information about the teens was not available because juvenile court cases are sealed. Overall, they are charged each with three residential burglaries, two thefts and four burglaries to motor vehicles.

A 33-year-old Woodstock man also has been charged with two burglaries and an attempted break-in in Mill Creek.

Shannon L. Jones, of 318½ Calhoun St., was arrested on Sept. 20 and charged with felony burglary to homes on the 38W500 block of Blackberry Way and 0N900 Lea Drive and attempted burglary to a home on the 0N800 block of Lea, court records show.

Jones also is accused of burglarizing a home Sept. 18 on the 400 block of South First Street, Elburn.

He is being held at the Kane County jail on $35,000 bail and faces four to 15 years if convicted. His next court date is Oct. 31.

Last month, Mill Creek residents alerted neighbors through a chain e-mail of a rash of burglaries. The tally reached 27 -- including five addresses hit twice -- but indicated some crimes were not reported because victims didn't see their loss as significant enough. The e-mail urged neighbors to lock their doors, close garages and watch for suspicious activity.

Gengler said authorities are investigating other incidents and some were not reported to the sheriff's department.

He also noted that detectives met with some residents advising them of the spike in burglaries.

Gengler urged homeowners to take some common security precautions, such as keeping first floor windows closed and outside lights on. He added that people should not be hesitant to call police.

"We'd rather be called and it turns out to be nothing than everybody wish they called after it happened," Gengler said.