Wilmette Police released Monday an emergency phone call made from inside a home that was in the process of being burglarized.
"I'm in the upper floor," the caller says. "I'm in a bedroom in a closet."
Police: "Where do you believe the people are in the house?"
"In my parents bedroom," he replies.
Police: Is that on the same floor?
"Yes, it's the same floor," caller says.
The dispatch officer then advised caution to responding units.
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This particular 911 call led to the arrest of 46-year-old Creed V. McGee of of the 1936 block of Jackson Ave. in Evanston. McGee was charged with burglary after police caught him near the scene of the crime.
Police are reviewing evidence recovered from several other area burglaries during the same week in connection with McGee, whom King said has an extensive criminal history Wilmette police Chief Brian King told the Sun Times Media Wire.
King said Wilmette officers caught McGee shortly after 5 p.m. Dec. 16 after being called to the Oakwood address to investigate a burglary in progress. When they arrived, two people ran away. Police caught McGee in the 400 block of 10th Street in Wilmette, then spotted the second person driving away.
Officers chased the van briefly, losing sight of it in the Village Center area.
In addition to the Oakwood burglary attempt during which McGee was caught, Wilmette police responded to eight residential and attempted residential burglaries. Most of them took place between dusk and 9 p.m. and four involved “in-press” calls, in which the burglars were interrupted by a neighbor or homeowner.
The burglaries and attempted burglaries took place in the 100th block of 16th Street, the 1200 block of Ashland Avenue, the 1800 block of Elmwood Avenue and the 700 block of Laurel Avenue, as well as the 200 block of Wood Court all in Wilmette. Two homes were hit on the 200 block of Beechwood Avenue in Wilmette as well.
King said police believe more than one burglary crew is active in the village, and will have additional patrols on the street during the evening hours.
He asked residents to call 911 to report suspicious activity in their area, including people walking around a house after dark; people or vehicles not from the block that have stopped there or have been going down alleys; and unfamiliar cars parked in front of houses that have been left dark.
He urged residents to leave lights on when they are not at home, especially after dusk, to make their residences appear occupied. If residents expect to be away from their homes, they can keep their homes from appearing empty by having a trusted neighbor take in mail and newspapers, and setting their alarm system before departing.
Sun Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
