Joe's Hot Dogs, Several Joliet, Crest Hill Businesses Hit By Burglar On Ankle Monitor: Prosecutor

JOLIET, IL — Christopher Covelli of Joliet's 900 block of North Raynor Avenue is now charged with new burglary crimes in Joliet and Crest Hill, including a crime to one of Joliet's most beloved restaurants, Joe's Hot Dogs on Plainfield Road.

Thursday's new criminal complaint indicates the 32-year-old Covelli has been kept inside the Will County Jail since Nov. 29. On Thursday, Will Count Judge Derek Ewanic ruled that Covelli will not be let out of custody under the SAFE-T-Act.

According to the pretrial detention petition, Covelli already had six felony charges for burglaries happening around Bolingbrook between June 17 and June 22. On Oct. 27, Covelli signed an agreement requesting admission to the Will County Mental Health Court system "for treatment of my mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and addiction to help with the aspects of my behavior that have led me to break the law ... I also understand that, if I do not comply, the court will sanction me."

According to Thursday's filing by the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow, "The defendant, while on an ankle monitor and having his locations recorded, just committed the following offenses on video:

• Nov. 20: burglary at Velasquez Mufflers and Brakes at 1915 North Broadway St. in Crest Hill.
• Nov. 20: burglary at Central Muffler and Auto Repair at 1711 North Broadway St. in Crest Hill.
• Nov. 20: burglary at AAMCO Total Car Care at 1800 North Larkin Ave. in Crest Hill.
• Nov. 20: burglary at Joe's Hot Dogs at 810 Plainfield Road, Joliet.
• Nov. 22: burglary at Central Mufflers, 362 Ruby Street, Joliet.
• Nov. 27: burglary at Los Dos Carnelas, 700 Ruby Street, Joliet
• Nov. 28: Burglary at Blue Kangaroo Laundromat.
• Nov. 18: Attempted burglary at Amerimex Mufflers on Plainfield Road in Joliet.

Joliet Police Spokesman Dwayne English provided Joliet Patch with the following additional details of Covelli's charges out of Joliet: the North Raynor Avenue resident was charged with two burglaries, two attempted burglaries and two criminal damage to property offenses and one possession of a stolen vehicle.

English the following charges are the result of investigations into the following incidents that occurred in the Joliet area between November 18 and November 22:

November 19 —Officers responded to a delayed report of an attempted burglary at Amerimex Mufflers and Brakes, 1018 Plainfield Road. Officers learned that between 6 p.m. on November 18 and 8 a.m. on November 19 someone tried to enter the business. The front door was damaged, however, entry was not gained to the building. Additional damage was found to a side utility closet door

November 20 — Officers responded at 6:46 a.m. to a possible burglary at Joe’s Hot Dogs, 810 Plainfield Road. Camera footage showed someone prying open the rear door of the business earlier that morning. The intruder entered the building and searched the cash register area before exiting. No money or valuables were reported missing.

November 24 — Officers responded at 8:34 a.m. to a reported burglary at JD Brown Pharmacy (837 Plainfield Road. Upon arriving at the pharmacy, an employee discovered the burglary. It was determined that cash had been stolen from the business. Surveillance video showed an intruder forcibly entering the building. The suspect was observed moving throughout multiple areas of the business before exiting the building. It is believed the burglary occurred earlier in the morning.

November 24 — Officers responded to a report of a past tense burglary and motor vehicle theft at Central Mufflers and Auto, 362 Ruby Street. Officers learned that on November 22, at 10:54 p.m., surveillance footage showed an unknown intruder forcibly entering the business. The suspect rummaged through the business and took a container of loose change. The suspect accessed keys to a vehicle outside and the suspect exited the business and drove away in the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered the following day.

English said Joliet police detectives identified Covelli as the suspect in each of the incidents and arrest warrants were obtained on Wednesday, December 17.

On Thursday, Covelli submitted his affidavit of assets and liabilities for Judge Ewanic to consider whether he qualifies for a Will County Public Defender or needs to hire private counsel.

A copy of the document is shared at the bottom of this story because Covelli wrote something down you almost never ever see the other inmates do.

Covelli stated, "Unemployed due to incarceration."