See Elmhurst Video: Man Breaks Into UPS Truck, Police Say

ELMHURST, IL – A California man who tried to break into a UPS truck this week near an Elmhurst store was arrested a little while later, police said.

Daniel Fernando Martinez, 43, of Long Beach, California, was taken to the DuPage County Jail, police said in a news release.

About 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a masked man was seen getting out of a Chrysler minivan that was parked in a handicapped spot and entering through the passenger door of the UPS truck that was parked in front of the At Home store, 265 S. Route 83, police said.

A bystander approached the truck and saw the man, later identified as Martinez, use two large screwdrivers to try to break into the locked rear package compartment, police said. Martinez was not successful, so he returned to the minivan, police said.

The bystander recorded the suspect. The minivan sped away.

With the help of detectives from other towns, Martinez was stopped on Interstate 88 near York Street.

Martinez was arrested on charges of burglary and having burglary tools. Five other men were inside the minivan, police said. They were all taken to the Elmhurst police station.

During the incident, one lookout was inside the store watching the UPS driver as he made his delivery, police said. Another lookout stood in the shopping center parking lot, likely in case of a police response, according to the news release.

The suspects drove the minivan, which was a rental, to the Chicago area from California, police said. It was reported as having a fraudulent license plate on the back.

Elmhurst police said they are working with suburban police departments as the investigation continues. More charges are pending.