Updated Oct. 30, 2012 – 4:50 p.m.
Two fast-food restaurants in the 300 block of Harlem Avenue were each burglarized twice last week – and the offender’s modus operandi triggered a look at a suspect who was arrested for burglaries in Oak Park over the summer.
Police on Thursday arrested Devon Lawery, 19, of the 4700 block of Monroe in Chicago. At the time of his arrest, Lawery was serving probation for breaking into Family Cleaners, Subway and King Chop Suey in the 300 block of Lake Street in Oak Park over the summer.
Forest Park police arrested Lawery at his probation officer’s office in the 1600 block of Fulton in Chicago, said Deputy Chief Tom Aftanas.
“He gave a written statement admitting to all four burglaries, as well as showing two detectives where he dropped some keys he took from J.J. Fish,” Aftanas said. “The keys were still there in a gangway on the 300 block of Elgin.”
Police reports said Lawery broke into both Forest Park businesses, which are located adjacent to one another, in the early morning hours of Oct. 15 and Oct. 18. He reportedly entered J.J. Fish through a trap door in the roof and allegedly broke a glass door to enter Subway. In both restaurants he allegedly stole money from the cash registers.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved four counts of burglary against Lawery on Friday.
Aftanas said that because Lawery was on probation for a previous burglary conviction, penalties would be more severe this time, if he’s convicted.
“He was convicted of burglary while on parole,” said Aftanas. “He may get charged with violating his probation and get some pen time.”
