A central Illinois man has been charged with stealing a large quantity of supplies donated in the relief effort for victims of the tornadoes that killed two people and injured at least 20 others earlier this month in the northwest suburbs.
Richard Burtch arrived in Fairfield to help a family member, whose home was among several destroyed in the April 9 twister, according to a report from the DeKalb County sheriff’s office.
After his relative’s home was cleared of debris, the 44-year-old stuck around the area and continued collecting tubs of items donated to the relief effort, sheriff’s police said. Donated items including medicines, toiletries, cleaning supplies and food.
On Saturday evening, a Fairdale resident called police after noticing Burtch making multiple trips to load up his vehicle with donations. A police officer confronted Burtch, who unloaded a wheelbarrow and baby stroller filled with supplies, and then left the scene, police said.
Deputies later visited his home in Stillman Valley, about 10 miles west of Fairdale, the next day and found 35 tubs of items plus three wheelbarrows and more than a dozen rakes, shovels and brooms, police said.
Burtch faces felony counts of looting and attempted looting, and was ordered held in the DeKalb County Jail on a $50,000 bond pending his next court hearing, police said.
Man Charged With Stealing Donated Tornado Relief Supplies in Fairdale
Police said they found 35 tubs of items at his home plus three wheelbarrows and more than a dozen rakes, shovels and brooms
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