Man Charged In Burglary, Robbery At Downers Grove North

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A Chicago man faces multiple felony charges in connection with a robbery and burglary that took place at Downers Grove North High School last week. Deon McLaughlin, 56, was charged with burglary in a school, attempted robbery and aggravated battery to a school employee.

According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO), McLaughlin had been on pretrial release for previous charges of aggravated robbery, criminal trespassing and unlawful restraint when the burglary took place.

Police say McLaughlin forced his way into the school via an unlocked window around midnight Dec. 10 and approached a female maintenance worker around 1:30 a.m. A news release said he "put his hands on the back of her neck and forcefully walked her through the hallways, demanding that she take him to where the money is."

The woman called 911 while she was being walked through the school and also contacted another employee and was able to alert another employee. Police say McLaughlin fled after the other employee confronted him.

McLaughlin was arrested in Chicago on Friday.

"It is alleged that in the middle of the night, Mr. McLaughlin broke into Downers Grove North High School, accosted an overnight worker who was just trying to make a living and physically forced her to search the school for money," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

He added, "Mr. McLaughlin's alleged actions not only terrorized an innocent woman, but also victimized the entire community."