Six teenagers and two adults are facing charges in connection with approximately 100 vehicle burglaries in Dixon, Illinois.
Police said the break-ins all happened over a two-day period of time in early January. The plan was simple - the suspects just walked up and down the streets, trying car doors until they found those that were unlocked. Then they would take whatever valuables were inside the unlocked vehicles.
The vehicles were in four areas – two on either side of the Rock River, including: Galena Avenue to South Dement Avenue from East Seventh Street to East Second Street; College Avenue to Depot Avenue from West Seventh Street to West Third Street; Galena Avenue to Brinton Avenue from Fellows Street to Chamberlin Street and Palmyra Avenue to Long Street from Fourth Avenue to First Avenue.
The bust started at about 9:30 p.m. January 9, 2013 when someone reported suspicious people getting into a vehicle near South Ottawa Avenue and East Fifth Street in Dixon. Police arrested 18-year-old Travis Broderick and charged him with four felony counts of burglary that night. Broderick has since been released on bond from the Lee County Jail.
A 15-year-old boy was questioned in connection with that night’s incident and released to his parent. After spending about two weeks gathering information, investigators said the teen will be arrested in connection with the case.
That investigation also led them to charge four more teens and two adults who are all from Amboy, Illinois.
Police said Abigail Shepherd, 18, was charged with four counts of felony burglary and that she was released after posting bond.
Austin Becker, 17; Brittany Vyas, 18 and Tamara Hiatt-Glenn, 18, were each charged with one count of felony burglary and one count of misdemeanor theft. Becker and Hiatt-Glenn were released after each posting 10% of their $5,000 bond.
Vyas remained held in the Lee County Jail.
Keri Wittgan, 31 and Trace Delisle, 21, were each charged with felony obstructing justice. Delisle was also charged with misdemeanor theft. Wittgan was released after posting 10% of her $5,000 bond. Court records showed Delisle was held in the Lee County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.
All of the people arrested were scheduled to appear in court in February.
Dixon residents who think their vehicle was also burglarized should contact detectives Oros or Garza with Dixon Police at (815) 288-4411.
