Video Evidence Helps Identify Lincolnshire Home Burglar: Police

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — A man accused of burglarizing a Lincolnshire home last month and stealing more than $50,000 worth of jewelry turned himself to detectives Wednesday, police said.

Moris Polis, 58, of Chicago, has been charged with residential burglary and felony theft in connection with a Dec. 21, 2019, incident in Lincolnshire, according to police.

Around 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the scene of a reported home burglary in the 200 block of Pembroke Drive.

Someone had ransacked the house, the homeowners told police. Cmdr. Kimberly Covelli said jewelry was the only thing reported stolen from inside.

Members of the community provided investigators with several leads in the case, and police were able to identify Polis with the help of video evidence, according to Covelli.

"External cameras and doorbell cameras are an extremely beneficial tool for law enforcement in the investigation of criminal cases," Covelli said in a statement. "This is an excellent example of the Lincolnshire community working alongside its police department to help solve a crime. The Lincolnshire Police Department continues to explore programs utilizing these camera systems to prevent crime and to aid in criminal investigations."

According to court records, a judge approved a warrant for Polis' arrest on Jan. 17, and he appeared in court Wednesday after turning himself in.

Public records show Polis formerly operated an auto body shop in Evanston and lived in Deerfield. According to Lincolnshire police, he presently lives in the Pulaski Park neighborhood on Chicago's Far North Side.

Polis has at least one previous burglary conviction in Lake County. In March 2010, he pleaded guilty to burglary in exchange for a three-year sentence in state prison, according to court records.

Separately from the Lincolnshire charge, Polis currently faces a charge of residential burglary in connection with a Nov. 2, 2019, incident in Buffalo Grove, records show.

Polis appeared in court earlier this month at a hearing stemming from the the Buffalo Grove charge — about a week before police obtained a warrant for his arrest on the Lincolnshire charge, according to court records. Covelli said Lincolnshire detectives had been in contact with investigators in Buffalo Grove.

Scott Spaulding, Polis' listed attorney in both cases, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Polis, currently out on bail after posting the $5,000 cash portion of his bond, is due to be arraigned on both charges Feb. 19, when he will have an opportunity to enter a plea.