Two adults and three juveniles have been arrested after a year-long investigation into a string of burglaries and acts of vandalism that occurred between December 2022 and April 2023 in Batavia.
In March 2023, the Batavia Police Department began investigating several reports of extensive damage to area businesses and citizen property that were reported to have occurred between December 2022 and April 2023. Multiple types of property were targeted by the offenders, including currently operating businesses, vacant business property, businesses under construction, and citizen vehicles parked at private residences. The damage consisted of graffiti, slashed car tires, damage to the interior of buildings, the activation of fire extinguishers and more.
According to investigators, cumulative damage to these properties totalled over $75,000.
Investigators ultimately identified two adult makes, ages 19 and 20, both from Batavia, and three juveniles that were involved in multiple cases of extensive damage. Information about the juveniles has been withheld because of their age.
The first male subject has been charged with 4 counts of Burglary (720 ILCS 5.0/19-1(a)), a class 2 felony; 2 counts of Criminal Damage – more than $10,000 but not exceeding $100,000 (720 ILCS 5.0/21-1(a)(1)), a class 3 felony; 4 counts of Criminal Damage to Property – more than $500 but not exceeding $10,000 (720 ILCS 5.0/21-1(a)(1)), a class 4 felony; and 3 counts of Criminal Defacement of Property – more than $500 (720 ILCS 5.0/21-1.3(a)), a class 4 felony.
The second male subject has been charged with 4 counts of Burglary (720 ILCS 5.0/19-1(a)), a class 2 felony; 2 counts of Criminal Damage – more than $10.000 but not exceeding $100,000 (720 ILCS 5.0/21-1(a)(1)), a class 3 felony; and 2 counts of Criminal Defacement of Property – more than $500 (720 ILCS 5.0/21-1.3(a)), a class 4 felony.
