Footprints In Snow Foil Burglar's Getaway: Police

ELGIN, IL — A burglar’s getaway plan following a break-in at a home near Elgin may not have been foolproof. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home burglary on Jan. 16 on Mason Road in unincorporated Elgin. While at the home, deputies found the patio and back door as well as a window and vinyl siding of the home had been damaged, according to a post on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.

They also noticed footprints in the snow, which lead to another home on Mason Road. The back window of that home had been forced open, authorities said.

From there, they followed the footprints across the street to a nearby hotel and to a parked car located in the back parking lot at the hotel, according to the Facebook post. While still at the scene, a man came out of the hotel and walked up to the car. He opened the driver’s side door of the vehicle.

Deputies spoke with the man, who they identified as Michael Gran, 54, of Elgin, and asked if they could search his car. Gran allowed the search and deputies turned up several stolen items, including jewelry, hand guns, ammunition, a pocket knife and collectible coins. They also found a pry bar and hammer in Gran’s hotel room hidden underneath his laundry, authorities said.

Gran has been charged with two counts of residential burglary, two counts of criminal damage to property, two counts of possession of burglary tools and possession of a stolen firearm without a valid FOID card.

Gran remained in custody as of Friday afternoon on a $155,750 bail, according to online jail records. He is next expected in court on Feb. 4.