A multi-agency task force on Saturday arrested three juvenile suspects in Waukegan who are believed to be the crew that burglarized more than 40 businesses in Lake County last month.
The Gurnee Police Department said they worked in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies across Lake County to take the three subjects into custody in connection with an investigation into a stolen vehicle.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said the vehicle was recovered in the 500 block of Genesee Street in Waukegan early Saturday morning.
The vehicle is believed to be linked to a series of commercial burglaries that occurred during the overnight hours.
Gurnee police detectives had coordinated a multi-agency burglary task force with law enforcement partners throughout Lake County in response to a significant increase in stolen vehicles and commercial burglaries in April, Gaylor said.
Detectives were conducting surveillance in Waukegan as part of the investigation during the early morning hours on Saturday.
They observed a stolen Kia at around 5:20 a.m. Saturday and worked with the Waukegan Police Department and several other Lake County law enforcement agencies to take three juveniles into custody, Gaylor said.
According to police radio traffic, detectives tracked the vehicle to an apartment building in the 500 block of Genesee Street before surrounding the building and arresting the crew.
The three Waukegan residents — a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds — are believed to be involved in both the vehicle theft and the series of commercial burglaries.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Charges are pending as detectives continue to work with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Juvenile Division.
Gaylor said investigators are also working to identify additional suspects who may be involved.
Detectives are continuing to review evidence and coordinate with area law enforcement agencies to determine the full scope of the incidents.
It is estimated that more than 40 commercial burglaries are connected to the investigation across Lake County, Gaylor said.
“This case reflects the complexity of investigating a series of related incidents across multiple jurisdictions and the importance of strong collaboration among law enforcement partners,” Gurnee Police Chief Jeremy Gaughan said.
“While investigations like this often take time and may not always be visible to the public, our officers and detectives are working behind the scenes every day to protect our community. We recognize the impact these crimes have had on our business owners, and we hope this development provides a measure of reassurance that those responsible are being identified and held accountable,” Gaughan added.
The businesses burglarized in April include, but are not limited to:
- A hair salon, car dealership and two vape/liquor stores in Fox Lake on April 11
- Sunset Chicken, Juan’s Chuck Wagon and La Canoa in Waukegan on or around April 12
- Eleven19 Kitchen & Cocktails in North Chicago on April 14
- Five businesses at a strip mall in the 3900 block of Washington Street in Gurnee on April 14
- Moshi’s Tobacco & Vape in Round Lake Beach on April 16
- Sammie’s in Lake Villa on April 24
- Lucia’s Taqueria, Domino’s Pizza, Subway and Chopstix Chinese Restaurant in Lindenhurst on April 25
- The Honey Baked Ham Company, Legacy Salon.spa, Bubble Tea Lab and Gurnee Donuts in Gurnee on April 25
- Subway and Pizza Hut in Gurnee on April 28
- Panda Chinese Restaurant, Wingstop, Rosati’s Pizza, Subway and Dulce Margaritas in Grayslake on April 28
- Kasa Amigos Mexican Restaurant in Lake Villa on April 28
- Fatmans in unincorporated Gurnee on April 28
If you are a business owner who was affected by the burglaries in April and your business is not in the above list, please email [email protected].