How Elmhurst Cops Caught Burglary Suspect: Report

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst resident who was making a quick run to a fast-food restaurant decided to leave a side door unlocked, police said.

That was enough time for someone to burglarize his house on the afternoon of Feb. 22 in the 200 block of East Atwater Avenue, according to a police report obtained through a public records request.

When the resident got back home, he noticed a black Chevrolet SUV in front of his house. A man in the car got out and asked about a maroon Suburban for sale in the area. The resident told him he did not know of one.

An older man was seen in the driver's seat.

The resident later discovered items missing from the house, including jewelry, a BB gun and two knives.

A neighbor's video showed the suspect walking around the back of the house and then jumping a fence.

Police said the video indicated the car was a Chevrolet Equinox. An officer contacted a Skokie police detective about "Gypsy burglars." The detective said the car, which had handicapped placards, was connected to another such burglary.

The police also obtained video from a Chicago pawnshop containing footage of the same suspect, according to the report. He was wearing the same clothes.

On March 30, 25-year-old Kevin Miller of Justice was arrested at a Harwood Heights gas station, with his wife and child in his car, police said.

In an interview at the police station, Miller said he often went to pawnshops to buy jewelry, police said. Asked whether he was in the video, he said he did not know. He was shown photos from the burglary and denied being involved.

Then he said, "Get the hell out of here. Call my attorney," the report said.

After he was moved to a holding cell, Miller said he wanted to talk after all. He then repeatedly asked the police questions about his charges, the reason for arresting him in front of his family and the items stolen from the house.

He also said he only does legitimate work while "the other gypsies are out stealing," the report said.

An officer then told Miller that he believed Miller's father was at the burglary as well. That prompted Miller to ask how the police could arrest an "old man," according to the report. Police have not indicated they made a second arrest.

Miller, who was charged with residential burglary, was taken to the DuPage County Jail. He was held on a $250,000 bond, with the requirement that he pay 10 percent to be released.