Blotter: Church Break-In, Stolen Dog and More

A Downers Grove man was found in a second-floor bathroom in the rectory of St. Cletus Church, 600 W. 55th St., after he allegedly broke into the building, occupied by two priests, at about 2:45 a.m. Dec. 3.

John G. Heiden, 42, of the 900 block of Warren Avenue was charged with one count of residential burglary.

Regarding a similar incident Dec. 6 in which two masked men broke into the rectory of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church on the South Side of Chicago and beat and robbed an 80-year-old priest, La Grange police investigator Patrick Fulla, in referring to the local incident, said, “Fortunately it didn’t escalate to that.”  

The priests heard glass breaking on the first floor of the rectory and called police. Police searched the building, discovered two broken windows, and said they found the suspect in the bathroom. Nothing had been removed from the rectory or was on the suspect, Fulla said.

Girl Arrested for Theft

A 16-year-old Bellwood girl was arrested this week on two counts of theft for multiple thefts at St. John Lutheran School, 505 S. Park Road, between  Oct. 31 and Nov. 28, according to La Grange police.

She does not attend the school but is associated with a student, said Patrick Fulla, La Grange police investigator. Police developed information that led to her arrest, according to Fulla. Items taken were worth more than $300.

Girl, Man Arrested

A 20-year-old Countryside man and 16-year-old Brookfield girl were arrested during a traffic stop at 700 East Ave. at about 12:37 a.m. Dec. 6.

Christopher Lee McCullogh was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child and received two unidentified traffic violations, according to La Grange police. The girl was charged with violating curfew, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer.

Dog Believed Stolen

A couple from Arkansas told La Grange police they believe their miniature Pinscher was stolen out of their Blazer at about 10:08 a.m. Dec. 5 while the husband ran into the post office, 121 Hillgrove Ave. The husband was cruising the area for the dog while the wife called police. No more information was available Dec. 7 from police.

Phone Found Stolen

A phone dropped off with La Grange police by the father of a 20-year-old La Grange man was reported as stolen, according to La Grange police. Trying to recover the phone, the son dropped off the box Dec. 6 to prove he owned it, police said.  The serial number of the phone came back as stolen, police said. No more information was available Dec. 7 from police.

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