Kids Caught After Kicking In Door, Mokena Police Warn Of Danger In Similar Acts

MOKENA, IL — A kicked-in door, run-in with police—and some grace from a homeowner—might have served as a lesson to three kids recently in Mokena, police said.

Mokena police were called in the early morning hours of Aug. 2 to a home in the 11900 block of 197th Street for a report of a door being kicked in, police said Wednesday.

Police didn't find the suspects—ultimately identified as three juveniles—at the scene, but tracked them through the grass to a nearby residence.

"The known circumstances at the time and legal restrictions did not justify our officers in taking certain immediate actions at that residence," Mokena Police Chief Brian Benton shared on social media.

The matter was turned over to our Investigations Division where, within three days, the juveniles were identified and detectives made contact with their parents or guardians.

Police consulted the victims, who Benton said were satisfied with an apology and compensation for damage to the door.

"Parents should warn their children about the dangers of engaging in this type of activity," Benton warned, "as it has the potential to result in great bodily harm to their children from a homeowner perceiving that their home is violently being invaded."