Prosecutor Blasts Hinsdale Burglary Suspect's Release

HINSDALE, IL – DuPage County's top prosecutor is blaming a new state law for Thursday's release of a suspect in the burglary of a high-end Hinsdale boutique.

The suspect, 30-year-old Terry Johnson of Chicago, was one of seven suspects in the break-in at Kelsey Resale Boutique in May, according to a news release. Johnson, who is on parole for armed robbery and aggravated battery in Cook County, was released by a judge.

In the news release, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Johnson's case demonstrates that the Safe-T Act must be amended.

"The fact that Mr. Johnson, who is currently on parole and now accused of a forcible felony, will be out on the streets pending his trial illustrates a deficiency in the new law," Berlin said. "I have been saying all along that after hearing the facts and circumstances of a case, a judge, not the legislature, is in the best position to decide if pre-trial release for a defendant is appropriate."

DuPage County Judge Joshua Diedan expressed concern over the implementation of the new law, but indicated his hands were tied, Berlin said. That's because the judge said he was required to release Johnson because the forcible felony of burglary is excluded from the detainable offenses under a dangerousness standard unless there is a use of force against another person, the prosecutor said.

"With Mr. Johnson’s case as a glaring example of what I fear will be many defendants unduly released pre-trial, I urge the General Assembly to amend the law and allow judges to use their discretion in every case similar to New Jersey’s pre-trial release law," Berlin said.

Johnson was charged with armed violence and burglary, both felonies.

As he awaits trial, Johnson must wear a GPS electronic monitoring device at a cost of $10 a day and stay at least 1,000 feet away from Kelsey Resale Boutique, according to the news release.

About 1:30 a.m. May 24, officers responded to a burglary at the boutique, where a glass front door was broken out, police said. Johnson and six accomplices arrived at the store in two cars and broke into the store using a sledgehammer, police said.

They stole about $68,000 worth of purses and other merchandise, prosecutors said.

When processing the scene, authorities collected blood evidence on the floor near the front door, according to the news release. A DNA profile from the blood was consistent with Johnson's DNA profile, police said.