Oak Park Crime Briefs: Master Key Theft at OPRF

A 15-year-old student at was charged Oct. 18 with theft and possession of burglary tools after school officials linked him to a locker room theft in which he used a copy of a master key.

So far, the juvenile, a resident of Oak Park, has been accused in connection with one incident —the theft of $10 and two keys that took place at the school on Oct. 12.

But police continue to investigate whether or not the master key is connected to several other incidents where items were stolen from gym lockers.

Authorities said they also are looking for a former student who may have given a copy of the master key to the 15-year-old.

Police said the stolen key was found in a trash can by a maintenance man, who later told police the boy had tossed it into a garbage can. The case was forwarded to juvenile court for review, police said.

According to the Triblocal, students were given new locks after the discovery of the master key.

Carjacking

A 21-year-old woman from Berwyn sustained minor scratches to her right hand after a man chased her and grabbed the keys of her 2006 Kia Sorrento and stole the car. Around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14, the victim had opened the driver’s door of the car, which was parked in the 200 block of North Forest Avenue, when a suspect approached her, showed her a 3-inch blade and threatened to stab her if she did not surrender the keys. A struggle ensued when the victim did not give the man the keys and he grabbed at the purse on her shoulder. She broke free and ran but the offender caught up with her, took the keys and then went back to get the car. The vehicle was recovered the following day in Chicago. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.

Burglary

An air conditioner and several pieces of musical equipment including speakers, power music amplifiers, mixing board and microphones were stolen sometime between Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 from Light of Liberty Church of God, 2 Washington Blvd. How entry was gained was unknown. Estimated loss was $17,300.

Residential Burglary

A 49-year-old woman startled a burglar in her bedroom Oct. 17, possibly averting a larger incident from happening. After standing on a garbage can and breaking a window to gain entry shortly after 2:30 a.m., the offender ransacked the kitchen of an apartment in the 1400 block of North Austin Boulevard and took food and liquor containers from the refrigerator. He then went upstairs and opened the bedroom door where the victim was sleeping. He then fled the scene through the front door after announcing he didn’t know anyone was at home. Estimated loss was $150.