Oak Park Residents Help Catch Suspected Burglar: Police

Oak Park, IL — Oak Park police arrested a Chicago man 10 minutes after residents reported seeing him break a door June 16 and steal a bike from a business in the 1100 block of Chicago Avenue.

Syrron S. Williams, 30 of the 1000 block of north California Avenue, was charged with felony burglary, according to Oak Park police.

Two Oak Park residents, who live near the business that was burglarized, told police they were walking around 1 a.m. when they saw a man pacing in front of the store.

They said the man hit the glass door, which shattered, he entered the business and took a bicycle, police reported.

An officer saw a man fitting the burglar's description riding a bike like the one that was stolen. He was riding east on Chicago Avenue near Grove Avenue. The officer detained the man, who was identified by the witnesses as the burglar.

The store's owner told police the bicycle was priced at $959.99.

Police Chief Rick C. Tanksley praised the quick action of the residents.

“Residents are our most important allies in preventing and solving crimes,” he said. “Try as we may, officers can’t be everywhere. But with the help of residents who keep their eyes open for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, we can respond quickly and, as in this instance, catch a suspect within blocks of where a crime was committed.”

Tanksley urged residents to never hesitate to call 911 when they see suspicious activity.

More information on the Oak Park Police Department, including how to contact the officers assigned to specific neighbor beats, is available at oak-park.us/police.