CHPD Arrests Man Suspected of Burglarizing More than 100 Vehicles

Nicholas Robertson, 30, was arrested by Clarendon Hills Police Monday night and charged with felony burglary after admitting to police he has stolen items from about 100 unlocked vehicles in the Western Suburbs over the last month,  Chief Ted Jenkins said.

DuPage County State's Attorney spokesperson Paul Darrah said Robertson is currently charged with one count of burglary of a motor vehicle. Darrah said Robertson is charged with one count of felony drug possession, as well. Officers found the suspect to be in possession of heroin Monday, Jenkins said.

While on routine patrol at 9 p.m. Monday, Officer Aaron Shirley came upon Robertson sleeping on a bench inside the Clarendon Hills Burlington Northern Sante Fe/Metra depot, according to a police department release Tuesday. Jenkins said Robertson is believed to be homeless; his last known address is in Dalton City, Ill., which is near Decatur.

After asking for identification from Robertson, Shirley noticed in Robertson’s wallet numerous gift cards and credit cards with different names on them and recognized one of the names as that of the victim of a Clarendon Hills vehicle burglary reported on Dec. 4.

Robertson was transported to the Clarendon Hills police station and a subsequent investigation found evidence that Robertson could be responsible for more than 100 such burglaries along the west suburban railroad tracks over the last month.

"I know these burglaries have had people concerned over the past few weeks,” Clarendon Hills Police Chief Ted Jenkins was quoted as saying in the department release. “It was just heads up police work by Officer Shirley that allowed us to make this arrest."

Jenkins said over the phone Tuesday that Robertson had a backpack filled with the aforementioned gift and credit cards, as well as iPods, jewelry, and "anything that you would imagine you would find in a center console."

Robertson cooperated with officers, Jenkins said, and estimated he had burglarized approximately 100 vehicles along the railroad tracks. Jenkins said Robertson does not have a car and uses trains to move from place to place.  

Clarendon Hills Police are trying to identify the owners of as many of the stole objects as possible, Jenkins said, and will work with nearby departments to identify Robertson’s alleged victims. As of Tuesday afternoon, based on the contents of Robertson's bag, victims have been identified in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Lombard and Westmont.

Robertson was charged with felony burglary and felony possession of heroin, and was transported to DuPage County Jail, where he remains.

Jenkins said vehicle-burglary suspects such as Robertson are hard to catch because the offenses often happen in the middle of the night with few witnesses.

Darrah said Robertson's first DuPage County court date is set for Jan. 9, 2012.