Five charged in string of west suburban car burglaries

Five Naperville residents are charged in a string of vehicle burglaries throughout the Tri-Cities area in the western suburbs, and some victims may get their items back, according to police.

They were arrested after a resident in the 600 block of Blackhawk Drive in Batavia saw them trying to break into a neighbor’s vehicle about 3:51 a.m., Batavia police said in a statement.

The group drove off when the resident confronted them, but officers were able to find their vehicle using a partial license plate number, police said.

Police stopped the vehicle in the 400 block of Main Street and found five people inside, as well as numerous items stolen from vehicles, authorities said. They claim the group is responsible for burglarizing unlocked cars throughout Batavia, St. Charles and Geneva.

All five suspects live in Naperville, and are charged with seven counts each of felony burglary to a motor vehicle, police said. They include:

• Christine L. Flood, 19, of the 1000 block of Mill Street;
• Amanda E. Gonzalez, 20, of the 1100 block of North Mill Street;
• Julian P. Pecoraro, 19, of the 500 block of Cassen Road;
• Brennan M. Rafferty, 19, of the 700 block of Benedetti Drive; and
• Austin J. Smith, 21, of the 1800 block of Hilltop Court.

All five were taken to the Kane County Jail and will appear in court for a bond hearing Saturday, police said.

Police have recovered a large quantity of stolen items in the case. Anyone who had items stolen from their vehicles should contact their local police department to file a report.

The investigation is ongoing as additional victims come forward to claim their belongings, police said.