Riverside Residents Confront Car Burglary Suspect: Cops

RIVERSIDE, IL — A car burglar pepper-sprayed a couple who confronted him early Sunday morning in Riverside, according to a Riverside police report.

About 4:30 a.m., a 59-year-old woman was alerted from a Ring doorbell device that someone was in the driveway in the 400 block of Longcommon Road. When she looked outside, she saw the dome light on in one of the family's cars and someone rummaging through the vehicle, police said. She woke up her 56-year-old husband.

The husband grabbed a bat and confronted the burglar, who was still sitting in the car. When the husband asked what the man was doing, the suspect said, "Trying to make ends meet for my daughter," police said.

The intruder then pepper-sprayed the homeowner in the face, causing him to drop the bat, police said. A struggle ensued, with both men picking up the bat at the same time.

The woman came out and struck the suspect with a broomstick handle. The suspect then pepper-sprayed her, police said.

The homeowners described the suspect as white, in his mid-20s, 6 feet tall, about 160 to 170 pounds, and wearing a black hoodie, black face mask and black pants.

It appeared the suspect took nothing from the car because of the confrontation, police said. The couple were treated by paramedics but were not taken to a hospital.

In a news release, Police Chief Tom Weitzel encouraged residents to call police right away and not wait until a crime is over. He said the incident could have been much worse if the suspect had been armed.

"Riverside police officers were at the home within two minutes of the initial 911 call," Weitzel said. "I ask our residents to please call the police first before any confrontation with a possible offender so that our quick response may facilitate the apprehension of any possible suspects."

Riverside police used a canine from North Riverside to track the suspect's scent to an alley in the 2900 block of Harlem, a few blocks away, the release said. However, police were unable to find the suspect.