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Lake County men plead guilty to burglary spree in Lake Villa, Ingleside

Two men accused of several residential burglaries in Ingleside and Lake Villa pleaded guilty in Lake County court this week.

George Tapia, 25, of Round Lake Heights, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of burglary in front of Lake County Judge George Strickland.

The deal came one day after accomplice, Daniel Ortiz, 30, of Round Lake Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen property.

Tapia was sentenced to six years in prison, but received a recommendation by the judge to take part in the state's Impact Incarceration Program, routinely called prison boot camp. Ortiz was sentenced to two years in prison.

Both are eligible for parole after serving 50 percent of their respective sentences.

As part of the negotiated plea, the state agreed to drop multiple counts of burglary and theft charges against Tapia, and multiple counts of possession of stolen property against Ortiz.

According to the Lake County Sheriff's office, five residences in Lake Villa and Ingleside were burglarized and linked to the duo in December 2013.

Authorities said investigators reviewed pawnshop records throughout Lake County and discovered Ortiz was trying to sell the items that were reported stolen in the burglaries.

Tapia and Ortiz were arrested and taken into custody in January, police said. About $10,000 in stolen jewelry and electronics was recovered during the investigation.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Matt DeMartini said investigators determined Tapia burglarized the homes, and Ortiz was trying to sell the items.

Two charged in Ingleside, Lake Villa home burglaries

Daniel Ortiz
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