Story posted Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Police Suspect Pair In 14 Residential Burglaries
Police cleared 14 residential burglaries after apprehending two men during the month of May.
They charged Joseph D. Gorke, 25, of 464 Laurel St., Elgin, and Pedro A. Rodriguez, 48 of 836 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, with residential burglary. At 9:25 a.m. May 4, police were called to a home in the 900 block of Willow Lane for a report of a possible burglary in progress.
Witnesses told officers they saw a car pull into a driveway shortly after the residents left the home. Rodriguez allegedly walked to the door, rang the bell, and then forced open the door. He returned to the vehicle and Gorke allegedly entered the home. While inside, he located jewelry and cash and wrapped them into a t-shirt, however, officers arrived on the scene while he was still in the house, police said.
Witnesses told police they did not see Gorke leave the house, however police searched the home two times but did not locate him. About 15 minutes after police left the scene, the homeowner saw Gorke jump down from the roof where he had been hiding under an overhang, according to police. The homeowner chased him while police returned to the scene; officers took Gorke into custody at Golf Road and Cypress Lane.
Gorke allegedly identified several other homes in town that he and Rodriguez burglarized, police said. Gorke also allegedly identified Rodriguez to police, but officers could not locate him for several days. Elgin police took him into custody on May 21 after a pursuit in their town. Rodriguez was also served an outstanding warrant from Hoffman Estates for an alleged burglary in that town.
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