2 Intruders Tie Up Housesitter, Burglarize Winnetka Home: Police

WINNETKA, IL — Authorities said a pair of burglars briefly kidnapped a woman who was housesitting a Winnetka mansion last week.

One of the intruders was arrested and charged with residential burglary, while the other remains at large, according to police and prosecutors.

Steven Bogovich, 26, of the 6700 block of 106th Street in Chicago Ridge, was arrested following a Dec. 29 traffic stop, according to Winnetka police.

Bogovich said the housesitter, a former romantic partner of his, is to blame for the incident in the 300 block of Hawthorne Lane.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mary McMahon said that Bogovich, who had previously dated the housesitter, still had some of her clothes.

"[She] had asked [Bogovich] to drop off her clothing at this home in Winnetka, where she was home sitting," McMahon said. "Ultimately, [Bogovich] did agree to do so."

Shortly before 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 27, Winnetka police pulled over Bogovich and his companion following a "minor traffic violation" somewhere in the village, according to McMahon. The traffic stop was recorded on video, the prosecutor told the judge Thursday at Bogovich's initial court appearance.

"During the stop, [Bogovich] and co-offender stated that they were looking for a girl at [the address in the 300 block of Hawthorne Lane]," McMahon said.

---

The pair arrived at the Hawthorne Lane home around 3:30 a.m., she said. The housesitter told investigators that she saw Bogovich emerge from some bushes and follow her back into the home.

As soon as they went inside, Bogovich grabbed his ex's phone from a table, according to the prosecutor. His accomplice then entered the home, placed a cord around the housesitter's neck and tied her arms up behind her back, police were told.

"During this time, the victim was restrained," McMahon explained. "[She] had initially struggled to free herself but gave up when she was unsuccessful."

Making a series of trips back to their car, the two burglars stole two laptops, an Xbox gaming system and various unopened Amazon packages, according to the prosecutor.

The housesitter told police that Bogovich had also taken her wallet from her purse before he and his accomplice fled in a silver Ford Fusion, McMahon said.

After the burglars left, the housesitter walked several blocks west to Green Bay Road and flagged down a driver to call 911, the assistant state's attorney said. While speaking to police on the morning of the incident, she identified Bogovich via a photo on social media.

The following day, she reported that someone had made unauthorized charges on her bank card and Link card, both of which had been taken from her wallet during the burglary, McMahon said.

Bogovich was pulled over on Wednesday while driving the same car he was driving shortly before the burglary, according to the prosecutor. The officer noticed proceeds from the burglary in plain view in his car, which the prosecutor said is still being processed for further evidence.

No further information or description about Bogovich's alleged co-offender has been released by prosecutors or Winnetka police.

"Due to this being an on-going investigation, we have no further comment at this time," Deputy Chief Brian O'Connell told Patch.

Cook County Associate Judge Anthony Calabrese noted there was strong evidence against Bogovich, who was already on parole for a serious offense — he was released on parole amid a seven-year sentence for aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle.

Bogovich, who is due back in court Jan. 10, will need to post $25,000 in cash to secure his release ahead of trial, notwithstanding additional criminal charges or a determination that he violated his parole.

---

Addressing the judge, the parolee said he recognized that his criminal record was an aggravating factor but questioned the strength of the evidence against him.

"Can I please have a bond reduction, because, sir, she invited me over there," Bogovich said.

"She set me up," he continued. "I was breaking up with her, and she did all this to me. I didn't do anything."

Calabrese responded by explaining Bogovich may have a defense in the case, but it will need to be presented in court.

In order to protect the community, the judge said, it was necessary to set a bond higher than Bogovich was able to pay.

"The safety of the community overrides that circumstance," Calabrese said, "in this instance."