Police: Oak Park Burglar Arrested

A Chicago man has been accused of carrying out a string of recent break-ins to Oak Park garages, police said.

Otis Hill, 58, has been linked to an April 23 burglary, a pair of burglaries on May 1 and, most recently, a botched break-in on Friday that triggered a burglar alarm, Oak Park Police Cmdr. LaDon Reynolds says.

In all, he was charged with 11 counts of burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft, aggravated false impersonation of a police officer, battery, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property.

Additionally, Hill is charged with violating his parole in connection with his 2007 sentencing for burglary and an attempted burglary. He had served three years of a six year-sentence and was released on parole in April 2010, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In the latest break-in, which took place Friday in the 900 block of North Taylor Avenue, he attempted to impersonate a police officer after being confronted by the owner of the house.

Hill pushed the homeowner before running away, but the homeowner called police and Hill was caught a short time later, Reynolds said.

Here's a look at the other incident police are connecting to Hill:

April 23: Police said Hill used a pry tool on the side service door to gain entry to the garage of a home in the 1000 block of North Humphrey Avenue and took a lawnmower, valued at $200.

May 1: Hill again used a pry tool on the side service door to gain entry to the garage of a home in the 1200 block of Hayes Avenue to take a lawnmower and attempted to use a 1998 Cadillac as a getaway car. That incident was interrupted by the owner who briefly scuffled with Hill before he fled the scene.

May 1: Hill entered an unlocked service door to the garage of a home in the 0-100 block of Lemoyne Parkway and took a lawnmower, circular saw, miscellaneous tools and a ladder.

Police are continuing to investigate and additional charges could be filed, Reynolds said.