A homeless man faces a felony charge after being accused of several home burglaries. The 35-year-old man has been arrested and was being held at the Madison County Jail. His bail was set at $150,000. Police claim he is responsible for burglaries outside of Edwardsville and other areas within the county. The felony charge involves several incidents, the first of which dates back to the end of June.
Police assert he has committed burglaries in the area from the period of June 26 on. The first incident purportedly occurred in Edwardsville. It is alleged the man forced entry into a residence and stole televisions, electronics and jewelry.
On July 5, another burglary was said to have occurred in the city of New Douglas. Police say the accused man again forced entry into a residence and stole electronics, guns, currency and jewelry. Police allege he is also responsible for a burglary in Alhambra, stealing tools, coins, a weapon, a TV and a barbecue grill. Police also say the homeless man is responsible for other undesignated burglaries. Detectives claim to have recovered some of the items from the burglaries, but the investigation is still ongoing.
He is now facing six felony counts of residential burglary. Police claim the man also has outstanding warrants in Illinois and Missouri, but there is no word on what those warrants involved. Reports do not show detail what evidence ties the man to the crimes charged.
A conviction on any felony charge could bring this man a lengthy jail sentence, so it is important for him to ensure he is aware of his legal rights. However, being homeless could mean he has to request legal representation through the courts.
Regardless, any person accused of a crime remains innocent unless and until proven guilty, and this man will have the opportunity to challenge any testimony or evidence offered against him.
Source: The Edwardsville Intelligencer, “Homeless man charged with burglaries,” Steve Horrell, July 17, 2012