Serial Suburban Home Burglary Suspect Spotted Sitting In Minivan

LAKE FOREST, IL — A suspected serial suburban home burglar was arrested Sunday in Lake Forest after police noticed him parked suspiciously outside of a recently burgled residence. An officer on patrol noticed a man sitting inside a parked minivan and wearing sunglasses around 6 p.m. in the 100 block of Quail Drive, police said.

Thinking the man may have something to do with recent residential burglaries in the area, the officer walked over to the man in the Chevy van and struck up a conversation, according to police.

While they spoke, a resident from a nearby home came out to report someone had just broken in through their back door and burglarized the house.

More police arrived and detectives began an investigation, which turned up "a large amount" of stolen property inside the minivan, according to Lake Forest Police Deputy Chief Rob Copeland.

Police said the property linked the man to burglaries in several different towns, including Lake Forest, Highland Park, Skokie and places in DuPage County.

Christian Lopez, 29, of Chicago, was taken into custody and interviewed at the station. Police said he had an outstanding warrant issued by Cook County and a previous criminal history.

Lopez was charged with several counts of possession of stolen property and a single count of obstruction of justice for allegedly giving police a false name.

Police said he may face further charges. He was due to appear in Lake County bond court Tuesday.

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