Pair Charged With Stealing $100,000 Worth Of Air Conditioners
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Two people are charged with stealing dozens of commercial air conditioners -- worth more than $100,000 -- throughout the north suburbs since last October.
Ricki Lucas and Kevin Blottiaux, of the 32000 block of Rolling Hills Rd. in Wildwood, were arrested Tuesday after they were caught stealing a commercial air conditioner unit from Waukegan Glass Company, authorities claim.
Authorities from multiple police departments had been investigating since the first theft in October 2013, a release from the Lake County Sheriff's office said.
A witness saw a black 1997 Buick LaSabre during one of the thefts, enabling detectives to piece together information from recycling businesses throughout Lake County, the release said.
Lucas, 37, and Blottiaux, 36, were also found driving a black 1997 Buick LaSabre during a traffic stop last Thursday by Lake County Sheriff's detectives, the release said.
Both were charged with 27 felony counts of theft, for incidents in Grayslake, Gurnee and Round Lake, and in areas under the sheriff's office jurisdiction, the release said.
They are accused of stealing 68 commercial air conditioner units, including one taken from a Gurnee church, authorities said. The appliances are worth more than $100,000 in total.
Lucas was ordered held on $50,000 bond and Blottiaux was held on $100,000 bond, the release said. They will next appear in court Feb. 5.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
