Last of Lake Co. car burglars pleads guilty

The last of four Waukegan men accused of breaking into 15 cars in Waukegan, Gurnee and Park City pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Roberto Vargas-Arellano, 20, was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to perform 250 hours of public service after pleading guilty to burglary.

Assistant State's Attorney James Newman said Vargas-Arellano and Aurto Villalobos, 20, Moises Castillo, 21 and Miguel Orozco, 21, were arrested in November by Waukegan police.

During questioning about three car burglaries in that city, Newman said, the four confessed to 12 more in Park City and Gurnee during October.

Cash, electronics and other personal property were taken from the cars, Newman said, some of which sustained damage during the break-ins.

Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a hearing for June 23 to determine how much the four defendants must repay the car owners.

Castillo pleaded guilty to burglary Jan. 11, Orozco entered his plea April 21 and Villalobos pleaded guilty to burglary May 17.

All three received the same sentence imposed on Vargas-Arellano on Wednesday.

All four were eligible for sentences of up to seven years in prison if they had been convicted after a trial.