5 Charged In Extensive Defacement, Property Damage Case: Batavia PD

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia police have charged five people, including two adults and three minors, with felonies in a criminal defacement and damage to property investigation dating back to December 2022, officials said Tuesday.

Businesses currently operating and under construction as well as residential properties throughout Batavia have reported extensive damage totaling more than $75,000 between December 2022 and April 2023, according to police. Incidents included graffiti, slashed car tires, interior damage and activated fire extinguishers, Batavia police said.

Batavia detectives said they conducted a detailed investigation that led them to uncover common offenders, resulting in charges for two men and three boys.

The adults facing felony charges are 19-year-old Matthew Minnec and 20-year-old Jackson Ledwon.

Minnec, of the 1600 block of Haines Drive in Batavia, was charged with the following:

• Four counts of burglary
• Two counts of criminal damage, more than $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000
• Four counts of criminal damage to property, more than $500 but not exceeding $10,000
• Three counts of criminal defacement of property, more than $500

Ledwon, of the 1100 block of West Wilson Street in Batavia, is facing similar charges:

• Four counts of burglary
• Two counts of criminal damage, more than $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000
• Three counts of criminal defacement of property, more than $500

Police did not reveal the identities or charges against the minors due to their age, officials said.