Darien Man Admits Breaking Into Cars In His Neighborhood: Police

DARIEN, IL – A Darien man admitted to local officers that he broke into about 10 or 15 unlocked cars to get money to buy cigarettes, local police said.

Jim Thibeault, 47, who lives in the 100 block of Holly Avenue, was charged with burglary, attempted criminal trespass of vehicles and resisting, police said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the police report.

About 2:30 a.m. Aug. 10, police were called to the 6800 block of Crest Road, which is close to Thibeault's house, according to the report. A homeowner said he received a notification from his home security camera and saw a man trying to open the driver's side door of a Nissan SUV, police said.

Shortly after, an officer saw a man, later identified as Thibeault, on the ground near a home's garage on Holly Avenue. Thibeault disregarded the officer's commands, running into the house and then jumping out a back window, police said.

The officer caught Thibeault and handcuffed him. The homeowner said Thibeault was her son, police said.

In an interview, Thibeault admitted to entering the cars and stealing about $10 in change, limiting the break-ins to his neighborhood, according to the police report. He told officers he was sorry and completed a written voluntary statement, police said.

Thibeault was released pending a further investigation. He was later charged and taken to the DuPage County Jail.