Hinsdale police assist in incident while girl was home alone, locate stolen car in other case
Hinsdale officers were among those called to Oak Brook after a residential burglary Jan. 13 on Luthin Road.
A South American man has been charged with two felonies in connection with the break-in, which took place while a girl who lived there was home alone, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
Anibal Miller-Valencia, 21, was charged with one count of home invasion and one count of residential burglary for the incident on Luthin Road, just north of Hinsdale and across York Road from the Graue Mill condominiums.
Oak Brook Police reported that after Miller-Valencia and two unknown accomplices drove to a nearby forest preserve parking lot and parked their car at about 6:31 p.m., the two accomplices left the vehicle and went to the home on Luthin Road while Miller-Valencia waited behind. The individuals allegedly broke a rear glass door and entered the home while the juvenile hid behind a door.
After a short time, the two fled into a nearby wooded area. Responding officers found Miller-Valencia in the parking lot in the driver’s seat of the car with the car running and arrested him.
“I can’t imagine the terror this young victim must have felt when she heard glass breaking and unknown voices in her house while she was home alone,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, but for this young victim, that sense of safety has now been shattered. The type of violent behavior alleged in this case also has a crippling effect on the entire community.”
On Tuesday, a DuPage County judge set Miller-Valencia’s bond at $1.5 million.
Oak Brook Chief Brian Strockis thanked surrounding police departments for their help, including Hinsdale.
“I’m incredibly proud of our response to this incident and coordinated efforts of 21 other police agencies that responded to assist,” Strockis said in a statement. “I’d like to thank all the agencies that responded with officers, drones, K-9’s and a helicopter. The response was quick and impressive.”
Miller-Valencia’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 6. If convicted, he faces six to 30 years in prison.
Vehicle stolen from gas station
A white Kia was stolen Monday night from the gas station parking lot of Hinsdale’s Shell Station.
Hinsdale police reported that a motorist left his keys in the vehicle and his engine running while going into the 210 E. Ogden Ave. station at 8:03 p.m. Surveillance video shows an offender approaching from the east part of the parking lot and driving off with the vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was subsequently used in two gas station robberies in the south and west suburbs later that night before being recovered Tuesday morning in south suburban Harvey.
Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King cautioned drivers to always secure their vehicles, even for brief times away from them.
“Hinsdale police advise people to watch their surroundings and never leave their cars unattended while running,” King said
— by Ken Knutson
