Police officers with the Elmhurst Police Department responded about 10:42 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2024, to a report of an attempted break-in to a UPS truck the At Home store located at 265 South Illinois Route 83.
A 911 caller reported that a man attempted to break into the rear of a UPS vehicle parked in front of the store. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a citizen who reporting observing a masked man exit a Chrysler minivan that was parked in a ADA Accessible Parking Space and then enter the passenger door of the UPS vehicle. The reporting citizen approached and saw the suspect use two large screwdrivers, attempting to break into the locked rear package compartment of the vehicle. The suspect was not successful breaking the door to access the package compartment, and got back into the Chrysler minivan.
The suspect vehicle fled the scene through the parking lot. The citizen additionally report to police officer that the suspicious activity by the suspect was recorded with their cell phone, as soon as the suspicious activity was recognized.
Members of the public are reminded defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— Elmhurst Police Department
Elmhurst Police detectives located the Chrysler with the suspect driving in the area. Villa Park, Oak Brook, and Hinsdale investigators assisted Elmhurst police detectives in stopping the suspect and the vehicle on I-88 near York Street. While the burglary suspect was taken into custody, an additional five males (now additional suspects) were inside the Chrysler. The suspects were transported to the Elmhurst Police Department for further investigation.
Investigators determined the Chrysler used in this incident had a fraudulent license plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle. Also, two of the men in the Chrysler allegedly operated as lookouts during the burglary. One lookout was inside the At Home store watching the UPS driver as he made his delivery, and another lookout stood in the shopping center parking lot, likely in case of police response. The Chrysler was a rental vehicle, driven to the Chicago area from California by the suspects. This vehicle is linked to several investigations of package thefts from UPS delivery vehicles in the suburbs over the last two weeks.
Daniel Fernando Martinez, a 43-year-old male of the 3300 block of E. Andy Street, Long Beach, California was charged with Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools. He was transported to the DuPage County Jail. During First Appearance Court on August 29, 2024, Martinez was issued pretrial release with a next court date of September 23, 2024. Elmhurst investigators are coordinating with other suburban police departments and additional charges are pending in this case.
The Elmhurst Police Department thanked the alert citizen that recorded the offense, but reminded the public about maintaining a safe distance and calling 911 when observing criminal activity.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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