AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS BUST MAJOR BURGLARY & FENCING OPERATION

Chicago Police Officers from the 15th District charged three adults in a lucrative burglary and fencing operation in which offenders were selling goods stolen from local homes, garages, cars, and construction sites. Police say most of the burglaries were committed in the Austin and Garfield Park communities.
According to Sgt. Tom Stack of the Austin District, officers made a routine traffic stop on Sunday, January 17. The driver was arrested for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He told police he knew where there were more guns. Sgt. Stack and his team obtained a search warrant for 4312 West Congress Parkway. Upon entering the premises, tactical officers found numerous stolen items throughout the residence, in a truck and a trailer. Although they did not find any weapons, they did confiscate multiple boxes of ammunition amidst the huge cache of stolen goods.
Among the items recovered were large numbers of power tools, generators, large screen television sets, about 50 bicycles, a new furnace, a fully-stocked tackle box, and a variety of electronic items. The total value is set at more than $100,000. Sgt. Stack estimates the burglars have been operating since last summer and says that unfortunately many more items have been sold off.
Some of the recovered items contained phone numbers and addresses of owners. In all, police inventoried about 400 items. The stolen goods were taken to the auditorium of the 15th District. As police and the media spread the word that victims of burglaries could come to the station with their case reports, receipts, or other proof of ownership, a long line formed in the lobby by people hoping to be reunited with their belongings. The line of people continued to move through the auditorium viewing the items for two days.
Jeremiah Dobynes, 38, of 4312 West Congress Parkway, 1st floor, was charged with three counts of Felony Theft and Unlawful Use of a Firearm (Felon in Possession of a Firearm). Curtis Ball, 54, of 4312 West Congress Parkway, 2nd floor, was charged with three counts of Felony Theft. William Harrington, 56, was charged with one count of Misdemeanor Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. Ball and Dobynes have histories of burglary-related arrests.
Unclaimed items have been moved to the Police Bulk Storage Warehouse at Homan Square. Persons wishing to find out if their stolen belongings have been recovered should call the Property Crimes detectives handling their cases to check inventory lists. Refer to the Case number on the report when calling the area headquarters.