An Elgin man was charged with burglary Friday after police found items in his vehicle that matched things stolen from another car earlier in the day, Elgin police said.
Ian M. Pipenhagen, 22, of Seaton Lane, was arrested in connection with the car break-in that took place sometime prior to 6:30 a.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Montclair Drive, police said.
Officers investigating a separate case in the 1600 block of Seaton Lane realized items seen inside Pipenhagen’s vehicle matched the description of things reported taken in the Montclair incident, police said.
The property was positively identified by the Montclair Drive victim, police said.
Detectives interviewed Pipenhagen and determined that at about 4:45 a.m. he had observed the victim’s vehicle with an open window and reached through to remove the property, police said.
The Elgin Police Department are conducting a public awareness campaign to help reduce motor vehicle burglaries. The “If You Like It, Lock It” campaign encourages residents to lock their vehicles at all times to reduce the risk of theft and to call the police to report suspicious persons in their neighborhood.
Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
