Spree Burglar Charged In 12 Business Break-Ins: Cops

WORTH, IL — A Worth man is facing a multitude of charges after he was tied to a burglary spree targeting a dozen local businesses, prosecutors said. Daniel Berg, 42, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on twelve felony counts of burglary, attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools. All the burglaries occurred in Worth and many were captured on security video, according to the charges.

Berg's alleged burglary spree took place between May 1 and July 6. Sometime during the overnight hours of May 1 to May 2, Berg pried his way into the Del Carmen Restaurant, 6922 W. 111th St., Worth, the prosecutor said. The restaurant reported $3,825 and a $200 check missing from the safe. Police said that $300 was also removed from the register. When he saw that he got away with the first burglary, Berg told police, "Oh, cool, this is easy," the prosecutor said.

The next night, May 2 to May 3, Berg is said to have broken into Michael's Pancake House, 6753 W 111th St., Worth. The owner told police that a tan bank bag containing $160 cash and an unknown amount of rolled coins was taken, along with a customer's purse.

A few days later, on May 5, police found a silver door knob on the floor at CP Auto Center, 11101 S. Harlem Ave. Berg allegedly told police he was looking for a place to break into, but took off after a security alarm sounded.

The spree continued May 18 when Berg is said to have carried a cash register with $300 inside out of the Al-Keif Hookah Lounge, 7011 W. 111th St.

On June 6, the owner of El Gallo De Oro Restaurant, 11400 S Harlem Ave., noticed a door ajar. Nothing was taken, but the ATM in the restaurant sustained $4,000 worth of damages.

The owner of Al Mawal was working in the kitchen on June 9, when the prosecutor said Berg forced his way through the back door. Berg left after the owner stabbed him, according to the charges.

Security video at Weekend Closet, 6955 W. 111th St., showed a man, later identified as Berg, entering through the business's back door June 10. The store said $300 cash was missing. Berg claimed he took $50, the prosecutor said. Later that morning, Berg allegedly tried to break into Player's Guitars, 6957 W. 111th St., but he couldn't access the store due to the metal burglar bars.

On July 6, the final day of the alleged burglary spree, Gemato's Wood Pit BBQ, 6701 W. 111th St., reported an attempted break-in.

Police caught up with Berg later that same morning when officers noticed that the frame of the drive-through window at Waldo Cooney's Pizza, 6715 W. 111th St., had been bent, the prosecutor said. Officers spotted Berg spotted rummaging around under the cash register. The prosecutor said that Berg broke through the pizzeria's window and ran away. Officers tased Berg and arrested him. The prosecutor said police found assorted burglary tools in Berg's possession.

In total, the prosecutor said that Berg stole $5,550 during his spree, not counting the damage he did to the businesses' property. Berg has a prior felony conviction for aggravated fleeing and eluding in 2005, for which he served one year in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"What were you thinking," Mahoney said, setting bail at $500,000.

"Any chance of electronic monitoring," Berg asked.

"I think you'll be monitored pretty well," Mahoney replied.

Berg's next court appearance is Aug. 15 in Bridgeview.