Update November 9, 2021 — Maurice Kirby pleaded guilty to one count of attempted burglary and one count of felony theft in exchange for consecutive three-year sentences from Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer.
A career criminal who’s on parole for burglary is accused of breaking into a Lincoln Park apartment building Tuesday. Prosecutors charged Maurice Kirby, 57, with residential burglary.
Residents of a residential complex on the 1800 block of North Lincoln Park West called police after they heard him break glass on the front door and struggle with a second entry door around 1:30 a.m., prosecutors said. Witnesses saw Kirby enter the residents’ mailroom, place a white box inside a shopping bag, and leave, according to allegations made in bond court.
Police found Kirby carrying a shopping bag 20 minutes later about a block away. The witnesses identified him as the burglar, prosecutors said.
Kirby was released from prison on November 27 after serving half of an eight-year sentence he received for residential burglary in 2015, according to state records. He has also been sentenced to prison:
- for one year in 2009 for retail theft
- for 25 months in 2008 for retail theft
- for six years in 2004 for attempt residential burglary
- for four years in 1999 for retail theft
- for 42 months in 1997 for retail theft
- for two years in 1994 for bringing cannabis into a penal institution
- for five years in 1994 for robbery
- for three years in 1993 for attempted robbery
- for three years in 1989 for robbery
- for three years in 1989 for forgery
Judge David Navarro released Kirby on his own recognizance Monday.