Joliet Burglary Spree Leads To Crest Hill Man's Capture: Police Chief

JOLIET, IL — A 38-year-old Crest Hill man, Alan Molck, was captured by Joliet police in connection with several overnight burglaries to prominent Joliet businesses over a three-day period this week, Joliet police announced. It was his second arrest in a little over a week, according to jail records.

Now, Molck is residing in the Will County Jail, where he's charged with four burglaries, attempted burglary, five criminal property damages, motor vehicle theft and possession of a stolen car.

On Wednesday afternoon, Joliet police say they spotted Molck driving a stolen Ford F150 in the 400 block of Buell Avenue. Officials say Molck sped away at a high-rate of speed, then ran from the F150 into the 1300 block of Oneida Street.

Officers caught up to Molck, and he was placed into custody without further incident.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the following crimes led up to Molck's capture:

At 4:03 a.m. Monday, Joliet police were sent to the Honda of Joliet at 3225 Plainfield Road for an activated burglar alarm. Officers discovered multiple broken windows, and the incident was captured by video surveillance and showed a man entering the building and taking a key fob to a Honda Accord. The suspect exited the building and stole the Honda from the premises.

At 4:27 a.m., Joliet police were sent to JC Penney at 3340 Mall Loop Drive for an activated burglar alarm but were then disregarded by the alarm company before arriving at the scene. Later in the morning, at 7:58 a.m., officers were called to the JC Penney after store employees discovered that a glass door appeared to have been forcibly shattered. Officers determined that cash had been removed from four locked cash registers after being forcibly opened.

At 12:09 a.m. Tuesday, Joliet police learned of an activated burglary alarm at the First Choice Auto Sales at 201 N. Center St. The glass front door was damaged. This incident was captured by video surveillance, and it showed a male suspect entering through the damaged front door, attempting to open drawers in the business. The suspect then ran from the building upon activation of the burglar alarm. Officers learned that nothing appeared to be stolen from the business at that time.

At 5:09 a.m. Wednesday, Joliet police responded to the Consumer Liquors at 1134 Plainfield Road for an activated burglar alarm. The glass front door to the business was shattered by a brick.

Video surveillance showed a male suspect damaging the front door with a brick. The suspect ran from the area after the alarm activated. It did not appear that entry had been gained.

At 7:08 a.m. Wednesday, Joliet police responded to Oxbo Muffler at 700 Plainfield Road for a glass front door that was damaged. Video surveillance depicted a male suspect entering the business after using a brick to shatter the front door. While inside, the suspect took keys to a Ford F150 parked outside in the parking lot. The suspect then exited the business, entered the Ford F150, and fled the area.

“This situation underscores the need for a reevaluation of our current criminal justice system to better protect our city from repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to public safety," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said in Thursday's press release. "Especially considering that this criminal victimized multiple businesses over a span of three days after being recently released under the provisions of the Pretrial Fairness Act for a prior case that was similar in nature.

"Still, I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Joliet Police Department who consistently execute their duties in an ever-changing legal environment. I wish to extend my appreciation to the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force, Crest Hill Police Department, and the Shorewood Police Department for their assistance in this investigation."

Molck was also arrested last week in Plainfield after police asked for the public's help finding a man they say fled on food from a stolen Cadillac, leaving the car in the middle of Route 59. Officials shared an alert saying the suspect was last seen entering a cornfield near 127th Street and Book Road, after a search using drones and a K-9 unit from the Naperville Police Department was fruitless.

Sightings reported by several residents led to Molck's arrest about an hour later on a charge of possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. He was released and given a notice to appear.

Jail records show he remained in jail as of Thursday on the new charges.