A woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison after authorities said she was suspected of committing six residential burglaries in Crystal Lake, including one where a victim came face-to-face with her.
The Crystal Lake Police Department responded on February 13 and February 16 to the 800 block of Chasefield Lane and 900 block of Golf Course Road.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Richard Neumann said several residential burglaries occurred on the two blocks during the daytime hours.
The Crystal Lake Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit was in the 800 block of Chasefield Lane on February 20, Neumann said.
Neumann said investigators observed Miriam Aranda, 43, of Elgin, acting suspiciously near the entrance of a residence.
Court documents said the officers, who were conducting covert surveillance due to the numerous burglaries in the area, observed Aranda gaining access to residential buildings.
She was taken into custody for an arrest warrant originating out of Kane County and transported to the McHenry County Jail, Neumann said.
She was initially charged in McHenry County with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony; burglary, a Class 2 felony; and possession of burglary tools, a Class 4 felony.
Court records show Aranda was additionally charged with two more counts of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Aranda entered a condo in the 800 block of Chasefield Lane with the intent to commit a theft around 11:15 a.m. on February 16.
A separate criminal complaint said Aranda entered a second residential building in the 800 block of Chasefield Lane with the intent to commit a theft around 12 p.m. on February 20.
A third criminal complaint said Aranda entered another condo in the 800 block of Chasefield Lane with the intent to commit a theft sometime on or before February 20.
A fourth criminal complaint said Aranda entered another condo in the 800 block of Chasefield Lane with the intent to commit a theft around 2 p.m. on February 13.
Court documents said a victim came face-to-face with Aranda inside their home during one of the burglaries.
Officers found Aranda in possession of burglary tools, including lock-picking devices and latch-opening shims, according to the complaint.
Court documents said Aranda is suspected of committing at least six burglaries. She was only been charged with four burglaries so far.
Aranda told officers that she was soliciting cleaning services from Crystal Lake residents, prosecutors said. No cleaning supplies were found on her person or in her vehicle.
Aranda’s cell phone data was collected and reviewed by detectives. The data showed Aranda in the area of Chasefield Lane around the time of the burglaries.
The data also showed that Aranda traveled to a Cash For Gold shop where it is believed she took the proceeds from the burglaries, prosecutors said.
Detectives reviewed Aranda’s history of pawning items which showed that she had pawned over 200 items starting as early as July 2018, netting approximately $35,000, prosecutors said.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain the woman pending trial, calling her a willful flight risk, following her arrest.
A judge granted the petition during an initial hearing and remanded Aranda to the McHenry County Jail.
Court records show Aranda entered into a negotiated plea with the state’s attorney’s office this week and pleaded guilty to two counts of residential burglary in exchange for the rest of her charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea deal and sentenced Aranda to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the plea.
“We remain dedicated to protecting personal property and delivering strong, decisive action against criminals who prey on our neighborhoods,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said following the sentencing.