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| Thomas French is charged with committing seven burglaries across the North Side. | CPD; Google |
Cops responding to a call of a suspicious person in North Center last week wound up arresting a man who is now charged with committing seven burglaries across the North Side since February. And investigators think 44-year-old Thomas French may be responsible for many more.
Around 2 o’clock last Wednesday, officers responded to a call of a man pulling on front doors and turning doorknobs in the 1900 block of West Cuyler. After getting a description of the suspect, they found French nearby and recognized him as being the subject of an internal police department investigative alert. Detectives wanted to talk with him about a series of break-ins, the alert said.
Now, French is charged with seven counts of felony burglary. Judge Sophia Atcherson set his bail at $30,000. If French is able to post a $3,000 deposit to go free, he will be required to go on electronic monitoring, Atcherson said.
Police said French was carrying a backpack and two shopping bags when they stopped him for questioning. The bags contained an Xbox, Xbox games, a bag of loose change, an empty iPhone box, two watches, a wallet belonging to a different person, a bundle of gift cards, headphones, an Epiphone studio guitar, and pawn shop transaction receipts, according to court papers.
Prosecutors say French is responsible for taking much more from a series of victims across the North Side including a Chicago Bulls hat signed by Michael Jordan; a Yamaha guitar, a jewelry box, multiple tablets, and—from one lucky strike in Uptown—nearly $20,000 worth of designer watches.
French is accused of burglarizing homes in the 800 block of West Oakdale; the 800 block of West Altgeld; the 2600 block of North Wilton; the 4000 block of North Hermitage; the 4000 block of North Kenmore; the 1500 block of North Milwaukee; and the 1900 block of West Cuyler.
Vicious Cycle
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| Pasco | Chicago Police Dept |
A 58-year-old career burglar has been charged with two more counts of burglary after detectives determined that he is responsible for breaking into a Lakeview apartment complex and stealing quarters from laundry machines—twice.
Ricardo Pasco was charged earlier this month with committing similar break-ins at four apartment buildings in Edgewater and Uptown.
Detectives removed Pasco from Cook County Jail last Thursday and presented him with surveillance video that showed him entering an apartment building laundry room in the 500 block of West Oakdale on October 12 and again on October 30, according to court records. He allegedly stole quarters from the laundry machines both times.
When cops arrested Pasco for the first batch of laundry room break-ins a couple of weeks ago, he was allegedly carrying $67 worth of quarters in his jacket. Since 1987, Pasco has been sentenced to a total of 51 years in prison for burglary.
Judge Atcherson set bail in the new burglary cases at $10,000.
