Police Blotter: $20,000 Copper Wire Theft, Multiple Vehicles Break-ins

Theft

A business in the 800 block of Liberty Drive reported that copper wire, which had been stored outside the building, was stolen over the previous weekend. The wire was valued at $20,000. 

An employee at BP gas station, 113 N. Milwaukee Ave., said that at about 1 a.m. Dec. 10, a male Hispanic, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, stole an over-the–counter sleep aid from its packaging. The thief fled the store on foot running south on Milwaukee Avenue. Police were alerted but unable to locate the thief. 

Theft from Motor Vehicles

Thirteen cars were burglarized at the Prairie Cross Train station, 3001 Midlothian Road. The burglaries occurred Dec. 6. All the windows on the vehicles were broken to gain entry. Miscellaneous items were removed from the vehicles, including a laptop, a framed picture, electronic equipment and currency in the form of change. Police are still investigating the case. 

A plow blade was removed from a truck parked in Liberty Volkswagen’s parking lot, 920 S. Milwaukee Ave. The theft occurred between Dec. 5 and Dec. 6. The plow was valued at $6,800. 

A driver who makes alcoholic beverage deliveries in the Libertyville area reported a theft from his truck on Dec. 9. During his delivery at Gold Eagle Liquors, 255 Peterson Road, and another delivery at Tommy’s Sports Bar, 137 Lake St., a pony keg of Peroni beer, valued at $83, and a case of 20 oz. Guiness beer glasses, valued at $40, were removed from his truck.

Two patrons of X-Sport Fitness, 1163 S. Milwaukee Ave., reported that their car keys were removed from their unsecured lockers and were used to open and burglarize their vehicles on Dec. 9. One victim said her wallet with $105 in it was missing. The other victim found her vehicle unlocked and rummaged through, but nothing was missing and the car keys were found on the driver’s seat. 

A vehicle parked at the Holiday Inn, 77 Buckley Road, was burglarized Dec. 10. Police found no signs of forced entry to the vehicle and the victim stated she may have dropped her keys when she exited the vehicle. A garage door opener and a purse containing identification cards, credit and debit cards, a cellphone and $200 in cash were missing from the vehicle.

Battery

Jeffrey J. Caryl, 56, 21 N. Holly Ave., Fox Lake, was charged Dec. 9 with battery. Police officers were dispatched to Liberty Imports, 920 S. Milwaukee Ave., on a report of an employee punching a manager. Caryl later was released on a $120 cash bond and issued a Dec. 28 court date in Mundelein.

Driving Mishaps

Mark O. Ellis, 24, 303 Amherst Court, Vernon Hills, was charged Dec. 11 with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol content exceeding .08, and improper lane use. He later was released after posting his driver’s license and a personal recognizance bond. He was issued a Jan. 6 court date in Waukegan.

Steven Medina-Reyes, 23, 703 N. County St., Waukegan, was charged Dec. 11 with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol content exceeding .08, and illegal transportation of alcohol. He later was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond and issued a Jan. 27 court date in Waukegan. 

Ross M. Edinger, 35, of 353 Cherry Valley, Vernon Hills, was charged Dec. 4with driving under the influence of alcohol and improper lane use. The passenger in the car, Lisa Coconate, 30, 1600 Valencia Way, Mundelein, was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting a peace officer. Edinger later was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond and issued a Jan. 13 court date in Waukegan. Coconate was released on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond and issued a Jan. 11 court date in Mundelein. 

Stephen Peter Potts, 49, 275 S. Dymond Road, Libertyville, was charged Dec. 7 with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and improper lane use. He later was released after signing a personal recognizance bond and was issued a Dec. 30 court date in Waukegan.

Julie L. Yakapovich, 31, of 539 N. Milwaukee Ave., Apt. 2, Libertyville, was charged Dec. 5 with driving while license suspended and expired registration. She later was released on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond and issued a Jan. 11 court date in Mundelein.

Jose Roberto Lopez-Leon, 24, 814 Central Park Drive, Round Lake Beach, was charged Dec. 7 with driving without a valid driver’s license, driving while license suspended and not having a rear registration light. He later was released on a personal recognizance bond and issued a Dec. 28 court date in Mundelein.

Mariah D. Fiandalo, 24, 2232 Stonehedge Court, Round Lake Beach, was charged Dec. 7 with driving while license suspended and speeding. She later was released on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond and issued a Jan. 11 court date in Mundelein. 

For questions about this blotter, email Chi-an.Chang@Patch.com.