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Crime & Safety

Wilmette Police Arrest Evanston Man for Burglary

One suspect seen fleeing the scene is still at large.

An Evanston man is being held on $150,000 bail after he was arrested while fleeing the scene of burglary in progress.

Wilmette Police arrived at the 900 block of Oakwood Avenue at 5:08 p.m. Friday, responding to a call from a resident. Creed V. McGee, 46, of 1936 Jackson Ave., Evanston was arrested in the 400 block of 10th Street.

The village has been hit with a rash of residential burglaries, with eight reported in the last week. A MacBook Pro, a diamond necklace and three watches were stolen from a home in the 100 block of 16th Street . A total of $75,000 worth of jewelry was taken from two homes in the 2200 block of Beechwood between Dec. 13 and 15.

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Wilmette Police Chief Brian King said property was recovered at the scene of the arrest, but that none of the other stolen property had been found. More than one burglary crew is believed to be active in the area, and King said police are currently going over evidence from the other burglaries and looking for links to McGee.

While this is his first arrest for burglary, McGee has a long criminal history. According a spokesperson at the Cook County Clerk’s office, McGee has been arrested three times for theft, once for criminal trespassing and once for aggravated battery and marijuana possession.

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A second subject was seen fleeing the area in vehicle. Police lost sight of that suspect at Village Center, though he was later involved in a multicar accident at 17th Street and Lake Avenue. He fled the scene on foot, and was pursued by police from several local departments, including a Skokie K-9 unit. They failed to find him after a two hour search and he remains at large.

“We are pursuing a number of leads, but I don’t want to get any more detailed than that,” King said.

Residents can help stop burglaries

Four of last week’s reported burglaries were interrupted by neighbors or residents. Many of the homes that were robbed had alleys that were used by the offenders, so King said to take special note of strangers or strange cars without headlights on in alleys, urging residents to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

“We like getting those calls,” King said.

Extra marked and unmarked cars are on patrol in the areas that have been victimized, but King said the best way to keep your home from being burglarized is to leave your lights on.

“Every one of the houses that has been burglarized in the last two weeks has been dark after dusk, so it gave the appearance of being unoccupied,” King said.

McGee is scheduled to appear at the at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29.

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