Snowy Shoeprints Lead Police To Trio Of Burglary Suspects
RIVERSIDE, Ill. (STMW) -- Police in Riverside are saying shoeprints left in the snow led to the arrest of three men who committed several robberies throughout the western suburbs.
The first burglary occurred Dec. 31, 2013 after the suspects used a hammer to enter a home in the 3500 block of Harlem Avenue, Riverside police said in a release. One suspect left a shoeprint in the snow that was later discovered by police investigators.
Shortly after, 18-year-old Julio S. Guzman was arrested Jan. 15 in southwest suburban Burbank for a similar burglary, the release said. Police there were able to capture a shoe impression left at the scene and match it to the Riverside burglary, the release said.
Burbank police relayed the suspect's information to detectives in Riverside, which led to Guzman, of Chicago, being charged with two counts of felony burglary on Feb. 19, the release said.
On Feb. 27, Damien Romero, 18, of Chicago, was charged with one count of felony burglary. A third suspect, Antonio Lemus, 21, also of Chicago, was charged with two counts of felony burglary, the release said.
Following Guzman's arrest, police said "continued investigation by detectives" led them to Lemus and Romero, who were also charged in connection to the Burbank robbery, the release said.
Romero drove Lemus and Guzman to the initial burglary in Riverside where the two then used a hammer to gain entry and stole cash, jewelry and electronics, police claim.
None of the property was recovered as the suspects sold it for "fast cash," the release said. Riverside police added that they believe all three suspects are responsible for numerous burglaries in the western suburbs, the release added.
Bond was set at $40,000 each for Lemus and Guzman, the release said. Both are self-admitted gang members, the release added.
Romero was also held on $40,000 bond, according to the Cook County Sheriff's office. All three men will next appear in court March 10 at the Maywood courthouse.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
