Ex-Uber Driver Admits To Burglarizing Arlington Heights Customer

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A former Uber driver and an accomplice accused of burglarizing a sleeping Arlington Heights customer she had just taken home last fall pleaded guilty to theft charges Tuesday, according to the Daily Herald. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Ethel D. Townsend, the ex-driver, and Kevin C. Pitts, both 26 and of Country Club Hills, were sentenced to 30 months probation and 30 hours community service. They also were ordered to each pay $1,204 in restitution and fines, the report added.

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According to Arlington Heights police, a 27-year-old man hired Townsend through the car ride service's app to get a ride home from a wedding in Rosemont at about 2 a.m. Sept. 4. Police said Townsend and the victim became friends during the ride, and the victim invited Townsend in to his apartment. Eventually, the victim fell asleep, and when he woke up in the morning, Townsend was gone, along with personal items, such as his PlayStation and his iPad mini, the report stated.

RELATED: Ex-Uber Driver Accused Of Burglarizing Customer Who Invited Her In After Ride

The victim contacted Townsend through the Uber app, but she denied stealing anything. He then called police, who reviewed security camera video and identified Pitts carrying items from the victim's apartment. According to police, Townsend called Pitts to help her in the burglary after the victim fell asleep. The pair were arrested when they arrived in court at Markham for an unrelated domestic battery case.

More via the Daily Herald

Ethel D. Townsend and Kevin C. Pitts, both 26 (photos via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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