Local
Teen Charged With 17 Felony Burglary Counts in Overnight Spree Across Chicago
A 17-year-old faces 17 felony burglary charges and one attempted burglary charge after Chicago police linked him to a series of early-morning break-ins from May through October. The charges come a day after a 19-year-old was charged in eight related burglaries, but released under the pretrial fairness law.
Chicago police announced Sunday that a 17-year-old boy has been charged with 17 felony counts of burglary and one felony count of attempted burglary in connection with a string of break-ins across the city, including a cluster of overnight incidents on the North and South Sides.
The teen was arrested Saturday afternoon and also faces a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property under $500, according to police. Authorities did not release additional information about the suspect because he is a juvenile.
Police said the teen was identified as one of the offenders in burglaries at the following times and locations:
- May 7 at 3:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of North Clark Street - Sept. 30 at 3:02 a.m. in the 2900 block of North Clark Street - Sept. 30 at 3:13 a.m. in the 2700 block of North Ashland Avenue - Sept. 30 between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the 2400 block of North Clark Street - Sept. 30 at 4:20 a.m. in the 2300 block of West Chicago Avenue - Sept. 30 at 4:24 a.m. in the 800 block of North Western Avenue (attempted burglary) - Oct. 15 at 4:09 a.m. in the 100 block of West 95th Street - Oct. 15 at 3:34 a.m. in the 8600 block of South Ashland Avenue - Oct. 15 at 3:46 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 95th Street (multiple incidents) - Oct. 15 at 3:46 a.m. in the block of West 95th Street - Oct. 15 at 3:48 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 95th Street - Oct. 15 at 4:08 a.m. in the 2100 block of West 95th Street (multiple incidents, including one count of criminal damage) - Oct. 15 at 3:38 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Ashland Avenue - Oct. 15 at 3:06 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Bishop Street - Oct. 15 at 3:21 a.m. in the 4300 block of South Ashland Avenue - Oct. 16 at 3:31 a.m. in the 6900 block of South Ashland Avenue
The charges follow the arrest of 19-year-old Charles Kelley, also of Chicago, who was charged a day earlier in eight of the burglaries and an attempted burglary in Oak Lawn. The State's Attorney's Office said Kelley admitted to three of the incidents, but a judge ruled he could not be detained under the Pretrial Fairness Act, meaning he will not remain in custody while the case proceeds. Kelley was due back in court Sunday.
The Pretrial Fairness Act, which took effect in Illinois in 2023, ended cash bail and set stricter standards for detaining defendants before trial. Under the law, prosecutors must petition for detention and prove that a defendant poses a specific risk, such as danger to the community or likelihood of missing court. The decision in Kelley's case reflects how judges are applying those standards.
The burglaries spanned several months and multiple police districts, with many occurring in the early morning hours. The concentration of incidents on Sept. 30 and Oct. 15 suggests a pattern of rapid, repeated break-ins. Police have not said whether the two suspects are believed to have acted together, but the overlapping charges indicate investigators see a connection.
For residents in the affected neighborhoodsâincluding parts of Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, West Town, and the Far South Sideâthe charges may bring some relief after months of concern about overnight burglaries. Community groups have previously called for more resources for burglary investigations and prevention.
The 17-year-old's case will proceed in juvenile court. Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.