2 charged in Wheeling attempted residential burglary

Two men have been arrested and charged with attempted residential burglary in Wheeling, police said Thursday.

The attempted burglary occurred at 11:49 a.m. Tuesday on the 200 block of 5th Street when a homeowner heard someone trying to gain entry to the building through a rear door, police said in a news release.

As the resident called 911 and hid, police in the area responded and saw a man holding a pry bar and walking to the passenger side of his vehicle, which was parked in front of the residence, police said.

Authorities say the man, 32-year-old Pavel Yemelyanov of Des Plaines, initially told them he was there to look at a house for sale and had talked to the resident about a room for rent. Another man, 27-year-old Alexander Volkov of Buffalo Grove, was seated on the driver’s side of the car, but police said he didn’t provide a reason for being in the area.

During oral and written statements taken at the police station, both men said they were on 5th Street looking for a house to break into, according to the police news release.

Volkov told police he remained in the car, while Yemelyanov checked for unlocked doors. Volkov said Yemelyanov removed a pry bar from the trunk shortly before police arrived, and was planning on forcing open a door, police said.

Each man was charged with one count of felony attempted residential burglary. Volkov’s bond was set at $40,000 and Yemelyanov’s bond was set at $10,000.

Both are due in court again Dec. 12.