Two charged with burglarizing vehicle at SW Side Metra station

Two men caught burglarizing a vehicle Tuesday morning at a Metra station on the Southwest Side are facing charges.

Edgar Pena, 29, of the 3800 block of South Sawyer was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle; and 19-year-old Alberto Camargo, of the 4700 block of South Karlov, was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle, all felonies, according to Metra police.

Metra police saw the two men burglarizing a vehicle parked in the commuter lot at the Wrightwood station at 79th and Kedize late Tuesday morning and arrested them, police said.

The men had a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the 4600 block of West 59th Street, police said. A second stolen vehicle was recovered later recovered from the 4700 block of South Karlov.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges are pending against the men for thefts in other Metra parking lots.

Metra police had increased patrols of the area around the Wrightwood and Ashburn stations following reports of criminal activity in the area. Two juveniles were arrested this earlier for burglarizing vehicles at the Ashburn station.

“I’m happy to report a positive outcome in this case,” Metra Chief of Police Joseph Perez said. “We will continue our surveillance of the parking lots and to vigorously investigate all incidents reported to us.”

Metra commuters are advised to be aware of their surroundings, lock their vehicles and report any suspicious activity or people on Metra property to police at (312) 322-2800.