Romeoville Man Accused of Burglarizing NIU Dorm Rooms

A Romeoville man was arrested Sunday after allegedly breaking into two dorm rooms at Northern Illinois University, authorities in DeKalb County said.

An NIU student returned to her dorm room on Sunday afternoon to find Branden Leach, 19, leaving the room with her prescription medication and other items, according to court records, the DeKalb Daily Chronicle reported.

Leach is not an NIU student but was reportedly signed in as a guest of a student who lived on another floor of the residence hall.

The student confronted Leach, who claimed he had wanted to ask her a question, according to the Chronicle. The student, who did not know Leach but had previously seen him in an elevator at the NIU residence hall, said Leach then offered her money not to call police.

Leach was also allegedly holding an Xbox and video games belonging to another NIU student, the Chronicle reported. While waiting for police to arrive, Leach reportedly threw out a bottle of prescription painkillers, police allege.

Leach, of the 0-100 block of Kempton Drive, was charged with residential burglary and possession of a controlled substance.