A Westmont man has been arrested on felony charges for breaking into and stealing items from Hinsdale homes — including a Jeep Wrangler — on March 21, according to Hinsdale police.
Dustin Petty, 48, of Westmont has been charged with two counts of residential burglary (Class 1 felony), one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) and one count of identity theft (Class 3 felony). Judge Brian Telander set bond March 23 in the amount of $100,000, with 10 percent to apply.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King announced Petty’s arrest and bond hearing March 23.
“The quick identification, apprehension and arrest occurred due to a resident’s quick call to Hinsdale police and providing video doorbell images to officers of a suspicious person peeking in their windows,” stated a police department press release. “Hinsdale police were able to quickly identify a suspect based on the doorbell images and knowledge of a previous burglary arrest that occurred in Westmont on March 15.”
Hinsdale police notified their Westmont counterparts, who located Petty at the Speedway gas station on Cass Avenue. Officers recovered the stolen Jeep at the gas station, along with laptops, phones and purses taken in the burglaries.
Police believe Petty victimized at least five residences in Hinsdale, three in the 100 block of North Lincoln Street and others in the 100 block of North Washington Street and the 200 block of North Lincoln Street. The vehicle was stolen after the suspect entered the home through an unlocked door and removed car keys, King noted in the release.
“This case underlies the important of locking your property and immediately calling the police if you observe a suspicious person or circumstance,” he said.
King also expressed his appreciation for the work of Clarendon Hills and Westmont police departments and the DuPage County State’s Attorney.
Berlin praised the efforts of police and his assistant state’s attorneys and promised a vigorous prosecution of Petty.
“His alleged actions violated the safety and security provided by a home and will be met by the full force of the law,” Berlin said.
Telander has scheduled Petty’s arraignment for May 18.
