Lake Forest Home Invasion Results In Felony Charges For Chicago Teen

LAKE FOREST, IL — A Chicago teen was arrested and charged nearly two months after taking part in a home invasion in Lake Forest, police said.

Spanky Miller, 18, of the 5900 block of North Elson Avenue, was taken into custody Thursday in Chicago by officers in the burglary squad of a north suburban major crimes task force, according to police.

According to police, officers were dispatched to a home invasion in the 1000 block of West Deerpath Road around 8 p.m. on April 27.

Police learned that three intruders had forced their way into the home of a woman in her 80s, telling her that her house was on fire.

One member of the burglary crew restrained the woman by holding her shoulders while the other two went up to the second floor and stole valuables, including jewelry, before fleeing, according to police.

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Police said the intruder who restrained the homeowner was described as a white man, while the other two were described as men or boys in dark facemasks.

Witnesses spotted a black pickup truck in the driveway during the burglary, and detectives were able to link the incident to similar burglaries in other communities on the North Shore through the truck.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved charges against Miller of residential burglary, criminal trespassing and unlawful restraint, the most serious of which is a class 1 felony. Police then obtained an arrest warrant.

Prosecutors did not charge him with the more serious class X offense of home invasion — the offense of entering someone's house when there is reason to believe they are there and then using or threatening to use force against them.

Lake Forest police said identification of the other two burglars is "ongoing."

“While incidents like these are extremely rare, we understand the impact they have on our community," said Interim Chief Michael Lange. :From the moment this crime occurred, our officers and investigators have been determined to bring those responsible to justice.”

Miller, who is also facing criminal charges from other jurisdiction, has been ordered held at Cook County Jail, according to the sheriff's office. A Lake Forest police spokesperson said he were unsure when he would be brought before a judge in Waukegan for a first appearance.