Burglary Victims Say Batavia Man 'Stood At Their Bedroom Door'

BATAVIA, IL — A Batavia man accused of burglarizing homes during the overnight hours of Friday, June 7, and Monday, June 10, was arrested Tuesday, according to the Batavia Police Department. In a news release, police said 20-year-old Tobias F. Granberg, of the 100 block of N. Mallory Avenue, was taken into custody for several felony offenses, including burglary, stemming from a Friday break-in at a home in the 700 block of Houston Street and another Monday in the 300 block of Whipple Avenue.

The Kane County State's Attorney's Office approved several felony charges against Granberg, including two counts of residential burglary, two counts of burglary, one count of forgery and one count of unlawful use of credit card, according to a release. Granberg was awaiting a bond call hearing at the Kane County jail Wednesday afternoon, officials reported.

According to police, Friday's incident took place between 4:30 a.m. and 4:50 a.m. Friday at a home in the 700 block of Houston Street, during which the residents reported seeing the offender standing at their bedroom door in the dark. Police said the homeowners reportedly thought the offender was their son and had a short conversation with him while unable to see his face; they later confirmed it wasn't their son.

A few minutes later, the residents went to check their house and found that the door leading to the garage and basement was open, the lights were on, and they heard the garage door being activated, according to police. Police added that the residents said their car's dome lights were on while the car was parked in the driveway, the inside was ransacked and credit cards were missing, even though they believe the car doors had been locked.

The residents also reported that electronics were stolen from their home, according to police.

The offender was described as a white male, in his late teens to early twenties, approximately six feet tall, with black hair and wearing a white t-shirt, police said.

Later in the weekend, a burglary was reported to have taken place between 8:30 p.m., June 9, and 6 a.m., June 10, at a home in the 300 block of Whipple Avenue, according to the release. The home was believed to be unsecured at the time of the burglary, during which the offender got into the home through the attached garage, and the overhead door was left open, police said, adding that the resident's cell phone and a small amount of cash were reportedly taken.

Police remind residents to secure their homes and vehicles: remove all valuables, garage door openers or keys from your vehicles and secure all interior and exterior doors and windows to your home.

Patch will update this story as new information comes in.