Police Charge Lisle Man with Stealing from Cars in District 41 Parking Lot

A Lisle man is charged with stealing from cars in the parking lot of the Glen Ellyn School District 41 central office building at 793 N. Main St., DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced Wednesday.

Charles Johnsen, 24, is charged with one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony, and one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 Felony.

Glen Ellyn police officers on Tuesday responded to a report of a suspicious person near the district office maintenance garage, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Upon arrival, one officer started talking with Johnsen, who ran away when a second officer arrived.

Johnsen allegedly entered several unlocked cars in the lot and stole items including tools and electronics. He also stole from a car parked in a garage at a nearby home, officials said.

“Whenever you leave your vehicle unattended, it is important to remember to roll up your windows, lock the doors and keep valuables out of sight,” Berlin said in a statement. “I would like to thank members of the Glen Ellyn Police Department for their quick response and apprehension of Mr. Johnsen. I would also like to thank staff at Glen Ellyn School District 41 for their attentiveness and for contacting authorities when they suspected something was wrong.”

DuPage County Judge Elizabeth Sexton set Johnsen's bond at $100,000 with 10 percent needed to apply as bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 6 in front of Judge George Bakalis. 

“We work hard to maintain open relationships with staff from our schools,” Glen Ellyn Police Chief Philip Norton said in a statement. “I want to thank the school district employee for not rationalizing the behavior he observed and being comfortable enough to call us.” 

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