Four suspects part of a larger crew allegedly burglarized a house in Long Grove, stealing cash and belongings, before fleeing from responding officers Wednesday.
The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF) was surveilling a Range Rover around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The Range Cover contained three suspected residential burglars.
Covelli said the driver was identified as David C. Gomez-Galindo, 40, of Cicero, and the two passengers were identified as Haral S. Canter-Rocha, 26, of Chicago, and Brian E. Navarrete-Caballero, 31, of Chicago.
The vehicle entered Lake County and stopped at a residence in the 4200 block of Hilltop Road in Long Grove.
The passengers, Canter-Rocha and Navarrete-Caballero, exited the vehicle and committed a residential burglary. They broke in through a sliding glass door.
A Mercedes-Benz, driven by Daniel F. Ospina-Lozano, 26, of Cicero, arrived in the area to act as a lookout, Covelli said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said the suspects stole approximately $4,000 in cash, jewelry and family heirlooms.
NORTAF investigators witnessed the burglary and requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, prompting deputies and detectives to respond.
Covelli said the two offenders exited the home and ran back to the Range Rover and the three suspects fled in the car.
Canter-Rocha and Navarrete-Caballero were carrying a duffle bag when they fled the home, Katris said. The bag had the stolen property inside.
A NORTAF investigator successfully deployed a tire deflation device on the Mercedes-Benz as the first sheriff’s detective arrived on the scene.
Ospina-Lozano was taken into custody by a sheriff’s detective and NORTAF investigators, Covelli said.
Traffic backed up and NORTAF investigators were able to stop the Range Rover.
All three occupants fled on foot but were soon apprehended by NORTAF investigators and sheriff’s deputies.
All four suspects were transported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division where the investigation continued.
Katris said Ospina-Lozano told police he felt bad for the victims while mentioning the burglary.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, against Navarrete-Caballero, Canter-Rocha, Ospina-Lozano and Gomez-Galindo.
Covelli said the four suspects are believed to be part of a larger burglary crew targeting homes within the Asian community.
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg praised the collaborative effort and said this was a “great example” of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together.
“NORTAF has done an incredible job conducting long-term investigations into burglary crews that have been plaguing the suburbs. I’m grateful for the collaboration between NORTAF and our Criminal Investigations Division,” Idleburg said.
“As a reminder, if you see something suspicious or believe something is off, it’s always best to report it and let law enforcement investigate,” Idleburg said.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Navarrete-Caballero, Canter-Rocha, Ospina-Lozano and Gomez-Galindo appeared in First Appearance Court on Thursday morning and the state’s attorney’s office filed petitions to detain them, arguing they pose a danger to the community and are willful flight risks.
A judge ordered them held in the Lake County Jail until detention hearings could be conducted.
Navarrete-Caballero and Ospina-Lozano were scheduled to appear for detention hearings on Thursday afternoon.
Canter-Rocha and Gomez-Galindo are set to appear for detention hearings on Tuesday afternoon.