Crime & Safety

Updated: Two Teens Arrested for String of Burglaries

The Libertyville teens are accused of stealing laptops, iPads, iPods from five homes and several cars.

Two teens are accused of stealing several items from unsecured residences and vehicles between the overnight hours of April 9 and 10 in various parts of Libertyville, according to police report.

After an investigation into several burglaries, police arrested Scott Clemmens, 17, of the 1100 block of W. Golf Rd., and an unnamed 16-year-old boy on April 10.

Both teens were charged with five counts of residential burglary, a Class One felony, and one count of burglary, a Class Two felony, according to police report.

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The teens stole items such as laptop computers, iPads, iPods and cameras from five homes and serveral vehicles, according to Libertyville Police Lt. Scott Fabbri.

"They were stashed around various places in town and at Clemmens' residence," Fabbri said.

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Police were able to recover a majority of the items with assistance from the teens, according to Fabbri.

Several of the burglaries occurred in attached garages and in some instances, the homes were entered while the occupants were asleep.

“These burglaries were all crimes of opportunity made much easier because residents failed to lock and secure their property,” Police Chief Clint Herdegen said. “It should be a matter of routine to lock doors and windows when you are not at home or when you are asleep at night. The same is true when you are not in your vehicle. If you reduce the opportunity, you can reduce the crime.”

On April 11, the 16-year-old was taken to the Depke Juvenile Detention Facility in Vernon Hills.

Clemmens was remanded to the custody of Lake County officials on a $250,000 bond.

Herdegen says these incidents are a good opportunity to educate residents about securing their vehicle and residences.

“Common sense is also key in these situations,” he said. “It takes less than a few seconds to lock a door, whether it’s on a garage, a house, or a car. We just need to make sure we use them.”


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