Lake Co. man pleads guilty in car burglary

A Round Lake Beach man caught by the owner of the car he was breaking into pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Monday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Byron Booth, 22, was placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to possession of burglary tools.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Bolling Haxall said Booth, of 123 Geneva Terrace, was seen breaking into a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu in the 100 block of Highland Terrance about 8:16 p.m. Oct. 28.

The car's owner had looked out the window and spotted Booth. When the man and his wife ran outside, Haxall said, Booth began walking away from the property.

But the man grabbed Booth and held him while his wife called Round Lake Beach police, Haxall said.

Booth was arrested and charged with burglary to a motor vehicle, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Haxall said he agreed to reduce the charge to the felony possession of burglary tools, carrying a maximum of three years in prison, in exchange for Booth's guilty plea.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak also ordered Booth to pay $50 in restitution for damage he caused while breaking into the car.