Bridgeview Man Claims He Was Drunk When He Stole Neighbor's TV and Microwave: Prosecutor

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- A Bridgeview man was arrested after he walked into an unlocked home stole his neighbor's flat screen TV and microwave oven, prosecutors said. John Bucher, 47, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a residential burglary charge. He was arrested on Aug. 15.

On Aug. 11, Bucher called police to say he found his neighbor’s flat screen TV at the side of his house in the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, the prosecutor said. The TV was damaged when police found it. Another neighbor told police that a few days later on Aug. 15, he saw Bucher allegedly taking a microwave oven out of his house the day of the burglary and putting it into the trunk of his car.

The prosecutor said that when confronted by police, Bucher told officers that he left the microwave behind a liquor store. Police found the appliance where Bucher said he left it, but it was damaged. Bucher allegedly told officers he was intoxicated and didn’t know why he stole the items. The neighbor was able to identify his property.

Bucher has no prior criminal background. Judge Felice set bail at $5,000.

“Really, you should stop drinking before you end up in the penitentiary,” the judge said.

“I need treatment,” Bucher said.

If convicted, the judge told Bucher he faces between 4 to 15 years in prison. Bucher was ordered to stay away from his neighbor while the case is pending. His next court date is Sept. 11 in Bridgeview.