Arrests Made Of Burglary Ring Members Who Stole $1M From Retailers: Attorney General

CHICAGO — A Cook County man was charged Monday for his part in a criminal enterprise that targeted Chicago-area retailers in more than 115 burglaries, stealing more than $1 million in merchandise and cash. The Arlington Heights Police Department is being credited for its part in an investigation conducted by a number of local law enforcement agencies.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the charges stem from his office's ongoing efforts to combat organized retail crime through his office's statewide Organized Retail Crime Task Force.

Dequane J. Hall, 29, of the Chicago, was charged with felony organized retail crime (punishable by up to five years in prison), and two counts of burglary, each punishable by up to seven years in prison. He is due back in court on Sept. 11.

Raoul alleges that the burglary ring targeted dozens of businesses, including several liquor stores, with after-hours burglaries. Raoul's office previously filed indictments against five other defendants in the case, three of whom have upcoming court dates scheduled.

• Antonio Lewis, 26, of Chicago, is scheduled to appear in DuPage County Circuit Court on Aug. 11
• Jimmy C. Hall, 30, of Chicago, is scheduled to appear in DuPage County Circuit Court on Aug. 15
• Marquise D. Williamson, 24, of Wheeling, is scheduled to appear in Lake County Circuit Court on Aug. 13.

"The charges against the defendants in this case are the result of collaboration between more than two dozen law enforcement agencies," Raoul said. "The thefts allegedly committed by this burglary ring impacted several businesses. I am committed to continuing my work with local law enforcement to target organized retail crime operations, hold such offenders accountable, and make all of our communities safer."

Raoul is prosecuting the ongoing case with DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin's office.

According to Raoul's office, the investigation was a collaborative effort by the Arlington Heights Police Department, the Vernon Hills Police Department and investigators from police departments including Addison, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Oak Lawn, Worth, Barrington, South Barrington, Deerfield, Wauconda, Gilberts, West Dundee, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Carpentersville, Des Plaines, Westchester, Wilmette, Northbrook, North Chicago, Glencoe, Skokie, Morton Grove and the Chicago Police Department.

"The interagency cooperation and teamwork exhibited was instrumental to ensure this unlawful activity received the appropriate level of law enforcement attention," Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas A. Pecora Jr. said. "This investigation is a great example of a well-coordinated multijurisdictional response to a pattern crime designed to hold the criminal element responsible."