Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Chantelle Porter has ordered home detention with electronic monitoring for two juveniles accused of breaking into a Naperville retail shop. The suspects, aged fourteen and fifteen, appeared before Judge Porter facing charges of burglary, a Class 2 Felony, and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.

On December 29, 2024, around 1:07 a.m., Naperville police responded to an alarm at Drippy's Smoke Shop on N. Aurora Road. Officers found the front glass window shattered. An investigation alleges the juveniles threw a rock through the window and stole vape products from the store. About forty minutes later, officers located the juveniles near the store. They reportedly fled but were apprehended after a brief chase.

Berlin stated, “The allegations that two young boys broke into a retail establishment at one o’clock in the morning are very concerning.” He praised the police for their quick response and thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Nick Catizone and Michael Pingaj for securing charges.

Chief Arres commended his officers' swift actions and emphasized that crime will not be tolerated in the community. He also thanked State’s Attorney Bob Berlin for his support.

The next court date is set for January 27, 2025, before Judge Porter.

It is important to remember that these charges are not proof of guilt; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.