Pair charged after Vernon Hills vehicle break-ins

Vernon Hills police arrested two suspects Monday in connection with a pair of vehicle break-ins earlier in the day.

Ivan X. Mendez, 21, of the 2300 block of North Vermilion Street in downstate Danville, and Oriana Oyesanya, 19, of the 100 block of East Avenue in West suburban La Grange, each face burglary to auto and theft charges stemming from the break-ins, police said.

Authorities say a resident in the 200 block of Ashland Court called police about 12:30 a.m. Monday to report a neighbor's vehicle appeared to have been entered and two people were walking in the area.

A short time later, police said, an officer saw two people matching the description walking in the area of Deerpath Drive and Abilene Lane. Officers determined they were in possession of the items taken from the vehicle on Ashland Court and arrested them, police said.

Officers later learned that a second vehicle in the 200 block of Abilene Lane also had been burglarized, police said. Neither vehicle had been locked.

Mendez and Oyesanya appeared in Lake County court Monday, when their bails were set at $40,000 and $5,000, respectively. Mendez remains in custody at the Lake County jail and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 15. Oyesanya posted bond and is scheduled back in court Wednesday.

"This incident underscores the importance of calling 911 immediately when seeing someone or something suspicious," Police Chief Patrick Kreis said in an announcement of the arrests. "It also serves as a reminder to keep your vehicle locked, regardless of where it is parked."