Judge Calls Felony Burglary Charge for Box of Candy Police 'Overkill'

Caption: Jesse Schutt, 19, of Oak Lawn, was charged with one felony count of burglary, which a Cook County judge termed “overkill.” | Oak Lawn Police Department

A Cook County judge called a felony burglary charge filed against a 19-year-old man who allegedly stole a box of candy from a concession stand “overkill” by Oak Lawn Police.

Jesse Schutt, 19, of the 9600 block of South Mansfield Avenue, Oak Lawn, appeared before Judge Peter Felice for a hearing in Bridgeview on Tuesday.

According to information provided by Oak Lawn Police, a patrol officer spotted someone inside a fenced area at Kolb Field near the concession stand in the 9800 block of South Central Avenue around 3:37 p.m. July 13.

As the officer tried to talk to the individual, he along with two others who were inside the concession stand fled on foot with the officer in pursuit, police said.

Two of the individuals were stopped and taken into custody after the investigation revealed the three had allegedly forced open the concession stand door, which had been locked. Police said the three took items from the concession stand that were recovered nearby.

Police took Schutt and a juvenile into custody. The third person is still at large. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office approved a felony burglary charge for Schutt. The juvenile will be petitioned into juvenile court for burglary.

Prosecutors said Schutt stole a box of candy. Oak Lawn police said “multiple boxes” were taken.

“This is overkill from my standpoint,” Judge Felice said. “This is going to follow him for the rest of his life. This cries for deferment.”

Judge Felice termed the case “criminal trespassing.” The judge released Schutt on a $25,000 I-bond. Schutt’s next court date is July 28.