The sense of betrayal is almost beyond words for a Western Springs single mom whose home was burglarized Sept. 25, and a trusted neighbor charged with the crime.
But Diana Ault said she also feels a sense of relief in figuring out how an assortment of items possibly disappeared from her home over the past four years.
“I was so blindsided,” Ault said. “I work full time and was constantly having problems with people I had hired, but the videotape confirmed who has been doing this to me.”
Western Springs police charged Thomas W. McCann, 34, of the 3800 block of Lawn Avenue Wednesday with residential burglary of the home on the 3800 block of Grand Avenue.
Jennifer L. Beesley-Androvic, 40, of the 24000 block of Walnut Circle in Plainfield also was charged with burglary in the incident, according to police.
Police executed search warrants at the homes of McCann and Beesley-Androvic and recovered jewelry, women’s shoes and a container of liquor reported stolen about 8:30 p.m. Sept. 25.
Police said no one was home at the house on Grand Avenue when McCann and Beesley-Androvic entered through the front door, which was unlocked, and allegedly stole the items.
Ault said she moved into the neighborhood nearly six years ago and became friendly with McCann. Both were single parents, and their children became friends, she said.
“About four years ago, $30,000 worth of luggage and designer handbags went missing, and right away I blamed a new housekeeper and got rid of her and never called police,” the Ault said.
“Then I was missing sunglasses and handbags,” she said. “People thought I was losing my stuff and I was losing my marbles.”
Ault said her daughter encouraged her to install a video surveillance camera inside the home in July to deter or catch whoever was responsible for the missing items.
Ault said she was out of town with her two youngest children Sept. 25 while her two older daughters stayed home but were gone for the evening. She concedes her daughters left the front door unlocked.
“I’m from Iowa, and Tom knows that is my habit,” she said. “We did not consistently lock my front door, but now we will. I had a false sense that we were OK.”
Ault said she and her children had distanced themselves from McCann and his children since May, but there was no ill will.
She said she was shocked when her daughter reviewed the surveillance footage Sept. 27 and saw McCann and Beesley-Androvic rifling through the home.
“She skips into my house with giddy delight holding armfuls of my shoes, and they go through every cabinet and every drawer picking through my things,” Ault said. “It makes you sick to your stomach.”
Ault said police have recovered some but not all of the items from Sept. 25. Police said no items previously thought missing were discovered as a result of either search warrant, and no other charges or investigations are pending.
“Somebody I know and trusted took things I got for Christmas, things that were given to me for my birthday, mementos from vacations and things I wanted to pass down to my daughters,” she said. “He just pillaged my entire life. It’s unconscionable.”
McCann could not be reached for comment.
Ault said she wanted to speak out about the incident to warn others not to be too trusting about who they let into their homes and lives. Ault, a clinical psychologist and registered nurse, said anyone can be fooled by a person who gains one’s trust.
McCann and Beesley-Androvic were released after posting a $5,000 bond, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. They are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 26.
Ault said she and her children will be taking additional precautions and plan to get a security system.
Twitter: @janemichaels22
