A man has been charged in connection with a burglary at a smoke shop in Fox Lake and prosecutors say he also committed other smoke shop burglaries in Lake and McHenry counties.
Patrick Zuniga, 18, of Round Lake, was charged with two counts of burglary, retail theft over $300 and criminal damage to property over $500.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts said an employee called 911 on March 31 to report a burglary at The Smoke & Kratom Vault, 2 West Grand Avenue in Fox Lake.
Surveillance video showed a brick thrown through the front window of the business.
Three suspects, who were all masked and wearing dark clothing, ran into the business and stole products before fleeing, Shanley-Roberts said.
Over $600 in items were stolen. The cost to repair the broken window was over $600.
Another smoke shop burglary occurred the same day at Sugarleaf Smoke Shop, 3932 West Main Street in McHenry.
Two juveniles broke the windows to the business in order to gain access, according to a criminal complaint.
The juveniles then stole drug paraphernalia and hemp products from the business.
The complaint said that the two juveniles were driven to the store by Zuniga.
The complaint said Zuniga took possession of the stolen drug paraphernalia and hemp products that were stolen during the incident.
The McHenry Police Department notified the Fox Lake Police Department after linking the suspects to both burglaries.
Shanley-Roberts said Zuniga admitted to being involved in both burglaries and admitted to going inside during the Fox Lake incident.
A third burglary involving Zuniga occurred at American Vapor Shop, 629 West Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach, on the same day of the two burglaries.
Zuniga turned himself in to the McHenry County Jail in April and posted 10% of a $40,000 bond.
He was recently taken into the custody of the Lake County Jail after warrants were issued for him.
Lake County Judge Judge Donna-Jo Vorderstrasse ordered Zuniga held on a $150,000 bond for the Lake County charges.
Zuniga remains held and would need to post $15,000 cash in order to be released.