'Uber Eats' Workers Found With Burglary Tools: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — Two Chicago men were charged with multiple felonies after being found with burglary tools and attempting to steal a motorcycle while claiming to work for Uber Eats early Thursday morning in Des Plaines. Devin Rodriguez, 21, and Brayan Mercado De Jesus, 21, are both accused of felony attempted possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony possession of burglary tools, and a misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

Both men were released following their arrests and are due back in court at a future date.

At 12:22 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of Western Avenue for a report of a suspicious incident. Several 911 callers were following two males, later identified as Rodriguez and Mercado De Jesus, who were acting "unusual." The callers said one was wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, while the other had on a white-colored sweatshirt, and they were driving around the area in a dark sedan looking at motorcycles parked in the area.

When police arrived, they found a dark-colored Honda Civic with its headlights on, parked perpendicular to some private parking stalls. The pair in the car fit the description provided by the 911 callers. As police called out their location, the vehicle started to drive forward, so police activated the overhead emergency lights and the car stopped.

Police asked the two what they were doing in the area, and Mercado De Jesus reportedly said they work for Uber Eats, and were just dropping off food. The officer noted there was a "moderate" odor of cannabis emitting from the car, and in plain view was a motorcycle helmet and a bag of various hand tools in the back seat. Police did not see any emblems on the Honda consistent with being an Uber delivery driver, and neither man was able to provide physical or electronic proof they worked for Uber.

During a search of the men, police reportedly found a pair of wire cutters in the front pocket of Rodriguez. A subsequent search of the car found a black bag behind the driver's seat containing paraphernalia used to ingest cannabis, and clear plastic bags containing residue of a green leafy substance.

Mercado De Jesus and Rodriguez were asked if they have motorcycle licenses, since there was a helmet in the back seat, and said they did not. Police also noted that approximately 20 feet

from the Honda was a red Honda VFR800 motorcycle. The seat of the motorcycle was removed and laying on the ground, appearing to be tampered with. In addition, the fuse box looked disconnected/damaged and there was a vice grip clamped with a screwdriver lodged into the ignition, consistent with an attempted theft of the motorcycle, according to police.

The 911 caller told police Rodriguez had exited the Honda, approached the motorcycle and started to touch it. Mercado De Jesus also exited the vehicle and appeared to be acting as a look-out, but would also walk over to Rodriguez and assist him in tampering with the motorcycle. The caller positively identified both Rodriguez and Mercado De Jesus as the two he had seen touching the motorcycle.

Officers then contacted the motorcycle's owner, who said that when he had left his motorcycle, it was not in that condition and asked if someone had tried to steal it.

Rodriguez and Mercado De Jesus were taken into custody. All items from within the vehicle were recovered as evidence.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.