A broken rear window led police over the weekend to arrest a Palatine man who allegedly broke into a veterinarian’s office to steal an anesthetic popular with party crowds.
Even though Adam D. Kereluk, 19, allegedly was found with several vials of ketamine, he cannot be charged with possession because ketamine is not classified as a controlled substance.
Kereluk, of 1150 Randville Drive, was charged with burglary, criminal damage to property and theft. He was taken to the McHenry County Jail.
Police responded to an alarm at the Animal Medical Center of Crystal Lake, 41 S. Virginia St., about 8:20 p.m. Saturday and noticed a broken window at the rear of the building, said Crystal Lake Police Lt. Howard Parth.
Other officers noticed a car parked on a nearby side street with a 16-year-old female inside, Parth said.
“Investigation revealed that the juvenile female had driven the suspect to this location,” Parth said. “Officer’s apprehended him exiting the building through the broken window.”
The 16-year-old will be petitioned to juvenile court on a charge of burglary. She was released to her parents, Parth said.
Ketamine is used by veterinarians to anesthetize animals for surgery but has gained popularity among teenagers. The user goes into a delirium, with a pounding heart, erratic thoughts and heavy sweating.
Veterinarian offices in Crystal Lake and other northwest suburbs have been targeted by thieves wanting ketamine, Parth said.
