Fox Lake man gets probation for break-ins

One of three men accused in a series of break-ins in Fox Lake was placed on probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to burglary.

David Johnson, 22, also agreed to testify against the other two men charged in the Aug. 5 incidents.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata said Johnson, Robert Meyers, 24, and Wayne Mikulski, 31, were traveling in a red SUV during the early morning hours of Aug. 5.

The trio, all from Fox Lake, broke into two cars parked at the Ingleside train station near Rollins Road and Washington Street, Kalata said.

They then went to the 500 block of Lincoln Avenue, just down the street from the train station, where Johnson and Meyers attempted to break into another vehicle while Mikulski stayed with the SUV.

Mikulski fled on foot after a burglar alarm sounded in the target car, Kalata said, and Meyers and Johnson returned to the SUV and drove away.

A short time later, police were called to a home in the 400 block of Garfield Avenue, when the homeowner reported he had found a man inside his house attempting to steal a computer.

The offender struggled with the homeowner before fleeing, Kalata said, but police were able to stop the SUV containing Johnson and Meyers based on a description of the vehicle provided by a witness.

Police determined Mikulski was the third suspect later in the morning, Kalata said, and arrested him after the homeowner identified Mikulski as the man who had been inside his house.

Johnson and Meyers, both of the 400 block of Fairlawn Drive, were charged with burglary for the break-ins involving the cars.

Mikulski, of the first block of Rushmore, is charged with residential burglary in addition to the car burglaries.

Both Meyers and Mikulski have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and are due to appear in court today.

Meyers faces a maximum of up to seven years in prison if convicted, Mikulski could be sentenced to up to 15 years.