Burbank Burglar Busted Peering In Windows: Cops

BURBANK, IL -- A Chicago man with nine prior felony convictions is accused of burglarizing a Burbank resident’s home and then returning a few weeks later to the same neighborhood and peering through windows. Ronnie Easterling, 31, appeared before Cook County Judge Michael Cain on a felony charge of residential burglary. Easterling is also charged with misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possession of a stolen check.

Burbank police responded to a call of a burglary around 10:05 a.m. June 7 in Burbank. The homeowner reported that someone broke into the house and swiped a computer, ammunition, a Aveo watch and checkbook. The homeowner received an alert from his bank that a man, later identified as Easterling, allegedly tried to cash a check that same day for $1,500. The bank was able to get a copy of Easterling’s ID, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said the homeowner’s neighbor was also able to provide home security video of an empty-handed Easterling climbing through a storm window at the neighbor’s house. According to Burbank police, Easterling left the house carrying a backpack with the homeowner’s stolen property.

A few weeks later, Burbank police received calls on June 25 of Easterling peering into windows of homes in the same neighborhood. The prosecutor said that a woman saw Easterling hiding in her bushes looking into her basement window. Easterling was arrested for “entering the property for [a] lewd purpose and looked into a resident’s window,” according to court records.

Easterling has nine felony convictions for armed robbery, residential burglary and disorderly conduct, the prosecutor said. Bail was set at $200,000 for the felony burglary charge and $5,000 for the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. Easterling was ordered to have no contact with the homeowners. His next court date is scheduled for July 18 in Bridgeview.