Witness Scares Away Man Accused of Trying to Burglarize Home: Cops

PALATINE, IL — A Palatine man accused of trying to break in to a home Wednesday while no one was home faces burglary charges, according to police.

Jerry Dickens, 46, of the 1100 block of East Barberry Lane, was charged with felony residential burglary. He's being held on $75,000 bail, and his court date is Sept. 8, according to Cook County Sheriff's Office records.

Police claim Dickens rang the doorbell at a house in the 800 block of East Aster Avenue to see if anyone was home. When no one answered, he went around the house and tried to get in through an unlocked window, the police report stated.

A witness, however, startled Dickens as he was trying to get into the house, police say, adding that Dickens then fled on foot. He was eventually taken into custody by uniformed and plainclothes police a short distance from the home, the report stated.

PHOTO: Jerry Dickens (Image via Palatine Police Department)

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Learn how to create a Patch user account
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Live Traffic and Transit Updates