Kenneth P. Ross, 61, of Waukegan, (inset) was arrested by officers after exiting the BP gas station at 1750 North Sheridan Road in Waukegan following a police response for a burglary in progress on October 20, 2024. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

Officers arrested a man, who is at least a 15-time convicted felon, after catching him in the middle of a burglary in progress at a gas station in Waukegan.

Kenneth P. Ross, 61, of Waukegan, was charged with burglary, criminal damage to property, attempted possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass to building.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emma Smoler said the Waukegan Police Department responded on October 20 to the BP gas station, 1750 North Sheridan Road in Waukegan, for a report of a burglary in progress.

An anonymous 911 caller reported a subject throwing a brick at the window of the gas station before gaining entry.

Officers arrived and saw the subject, identified as Kenneth P. Ross, 61, of Waukegan, exiting a broken window carrying a garbage bag, Smoler said.

Officers detained Ross and located alcohol and other merchandise from the store in the bag.

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Smoler said Ross refused to speak with officers about what happened.

The owner of the gas station confirmed Ross did not have permission to be at the business and wanted to pursue charges, Smoler said.

Ross was also found in possession of a metal vial with a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine, Smoler said.

State records show Ross has a long criminal history with at least 15 different Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) sentences dating back to the 1980s.

He has convictions for theft, residential burglary, driving on a revoked or suspended license, domestic battery, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

Ross was on parole at the time of his arrest in the Waukegan burglary.

Lake County Judge Chris Morozin released Ross in the Waukegan case, which is a non-detainable offense under the state’s cashless bail law.

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He was not immediately released from custody because the IDOC issued a parole violation hold for him.

Ross is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday afternoon for a status of preliminary hearing.