Thanks to a collaborative effort between law enforcement personnel in nearby jurisdictions and members of the public, River Forest police have arrested a woman believed to be responsible for a string of car burglaries in the area.
Leticia A. Shea, 28, of the 3000 block of W. George in Chicago, was arrested on June 1 and charged with two counts of burglary. Both incidents occurred on May 11, one in the 800 block of Keystone and the other in the 700 block of Franklin. According to River Forest Police Sergeant Michael Thornley, the suspect is thought to be connected to similar burglaries dating back several months in the village.
“Unfortunately, we’re [only] charging her for what we know we can conclusively link her to beyond a reasonable doubt,” Thornley said.
Items reported missing in the Keystone burglary included a purse, wallet, credit cards, and an Apple iPod. Some $15 in coins was reportedly stolen at the Franklin location.
Thornley said coins were stolen in most of the reported burglaries that police have linked to Shea. “That was actually the norm that we saw across the board,” he said.
Thornley said witness information led the police to Shea, who was tracked down in Elmwood Park and pulled over in a traffic stop on May 22. She was subsequently arrested by Elmwood Park police on charges that included a burglary offense, and during that arrest was found in possession of items reported missing in the May 11 burglary on Keystone.
At the time of Shea’s arrest by River Forest police, she was already being held at Cook County Jail on unrelated charges.