THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
2 Arrested So Far In String of Home Burglaries
Rolling Meadows police have arrested two individuals in connection with numerous residential burglaries that have occurred over the last couple weeks.
On Monday, Apr. 14, at approximately 9 p.m., after an "intensive investigation," the Rolling Meadows Police Dept., working in conjunction with the Streamwood Police also investigating similar burglaries, arrested one of two individuals shortly after a fifth residential burglary occurred in the 5100 block of Old Plum Grove Road.
James E. Van Hoose, 33, of 1145 Blue Bonnet Ln. in Hoffman Estates, was taken into custody near the location of the burglary, while a second offender fled the scene after crashing a vehicle he was driving into a parked car.
The vehicle and a 50-inch Samsung DLP television and jewelry were located nearby, but the second offender had fled on foot, police said.
The second alleged offender, Jerry L. Betke, 48, with a last known address in Palatine, was arrested the following afternoon without incident, according to police.
Since Tuesday, Apr. 8, Rolling Meadows Police received four reports of what appeared to be related residential burglaries in the area of Meacham Road between Algonquin Road and Euclid Avenue.
According to police, property taken in those burglaries consisted mostly of large flat panel televisions, laptop computers, and jewelry.
Van Hoose was charged with two counts of residential burglary. He was taken to bond court in Rolling Meadows on Friday, Apr. 18. Betke was charged with one count each of residential burglary, possession of burglary tools, aggravated battery, and aggravated fleeing and eluding police. He was also taken to bond court on Friday, Apr. 18.
Police continue to investigate the other uncharged incidents.