Neighbor Discovers Man in Apartment Taking Beer: Cops

Cesar Montelongo | Cook County Sheriff

A career burglar is back behind bars at Cook County Jail for stealing beer from a Burbank apartment, prosecutors said in court Wednesday.

Cesar Montelongo, 39, who is currently out on parole, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a charge of residential burglary.

Prosecutors said that Montelongo entered a neighbor’s apartment on Sept. 29 in the 8000 block of South Leamington, Burbank.

When the neighbor discovered him in his apartment, Montelongo allegedly told him he was there to take beer.

According to the charges, Montelongo is currently dating his neighbor’s ex-wife and said she gave him the keys to her ex’s apartment. Prosecutors said the woman denied giving Montelongo the keys.

In addition to the beer, prosecutors said the neighbor spotted Montelongo in another area of the residence. Money that the neighbor kept was not found in its original location, prosecutors said.

Montelongo is currently out on parole for armed violence and residential burglary. He also has nine prior burglary convictions, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Bail was set at $200,000. Montelongo’s next court date is Oct. 20.