Crime & Safety

Off-Duty Downers Grove Cop Busts Joliet House Burglar

The officer spotted the suspect using a garage door opener to get into a house, Joliet Cmdr. Al Roechner said.

Written by Joliet Patch Editor Karen Sorensen

An off-duty Downers Grove police officer awakened by a barking dog nabbed a man as he broke into a house across the street from the officer's Joliet home, Joliet Police Cmdr. Al Roechner said. 

Kevin M. Loren, 36, of 6615 Mountain Ridge Pass, Plainfield, was charged with residential burglary, burglary to a motor vehicle and two counts of battery after being caught emerging from a house in the 1600 block of Sierra Highlands at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

The officer, whose name was not released, told police he watched from a window as Loren tried to open two locked cars parked in his driveway before he crossed the street and found a neighbor's auto unlocked, Roechner said. Loren "rummaged around inside the vehicle" before apparently finding a remote control that allowed him to open the house's garage door, he said.

The officer, armed with his department-issued gun, confronted Loren, arrested him and brought him back to his house, where his wife called Joliet police, Roechner said. 

While waiting for police to arrive, Loren attacked the officer and punched him in the face, Roechner said. A struggle ensued and the officer's gun discharged, he said. 

No one was injured and it appears the officer acted appropriately, Roechner said.

The officer's wife retrieved his handcuffs from inside the house and Loren was restrained, he said.

Joliet officers found several items in Loren's possession that appeared stolen, and it's possible Loren will be charged one or more additional burglaries, Roechner said. 

Loren is being held in the Will County jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.


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