Man Charged In Series Of South Suburb Car Burglaries

CHICAGO (CBS) -- An 18-year old man has been arrested for a series of suspected car burglaries in the south suburbs.

Police say Joel Brooks, a Flossmoor resident, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly breaking into and burglarizing more than 20 cars.

The alleged break-ins happened in Hazel Crest and Flossmoor early Tuesday morning.

Hazel Crest police were first called by a witness who had seen a man entering vehicles along 185th and Meadow Lane. When the car burglar was spotted by the witness, he allegedly pointed a gun at the witness who ran away and called police.

A description of the suspect was broadcasted and Flossmoor police recognized that person as the same individual who was just arrested for a similar break-in of a car in that suburb. In the Flossmoor incident, according to Hazel Crest police, the suspect also pointed a gun at a witness.

Police say that, when Brooks was arrested, he had a stolen gun on him.