A Chicago man who is being held on numerous charges, including burglary and identity theft, is now charged with stealing presents from a church in Crystal Lake before Christmas.
George J. Ashetzie, 66, of Chicago, has been held in the McHenry County Jail since December 11.
Ashetzie was initially charged with fraudulent use of a credit or debit card, criminal trespass to vehicle, theft, burglary and identity theft.
Ashetzie burglarized a 2004 Toyota 4Runner on December 11 in Crystal Lake, according to a criminal complaint.
The complaint said he stole a wallet from the car and used a credit card belonging to the victim to make purchases of gift cards.
While being held in the jail, Ashetzie was charged with additional offenses that occurred in November in Crystal Lake, court records show.
A grand jury indicted him in late January on nine charges, including theft, identity theft, burglary and unlawful possession of a credit card.
The indictment said that Ashetzie burglarized a woman’s 2020 Honda Pilot parked at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 West Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake, on November 13.
He allegedly stole a credit card from the car belonging to the victim and used it to make over $300 worth of purchases at Target in Crystal Lake.
The indictment said Ashetzie also stole multiple other victims’ wallets and the cash inside them.
Ashetzie stole two I-PASS transponders as well, the indictment said.
The indictment also said the man stole 11 wrapped Christmas presents from the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 West Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake, the same day as the other thefts.
Ashetzie remains held in the McHenry County Jail on a $110,000 bond. He would need to post $11,000 cash in order to be released.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on Friday for a status of trial date.