53-Year-Old Romeoville Man Charged in Residential Burglary Case: Police

A missing toolbox was recovered, and a 53-year-old Romeoville man was arrested in connection with a residential burglary case that occurred in the 700 block of Ashton Ave. on Sunday afternoon, Deputy Police Chief Steve Lucchesi said.

Henry A. Ortiz, 53, of 702 Murphy Drive, Romeoville, was apprehended by police and charged with felony burglary after officers were called to the scene of the incident at about 2:45 p.m., Lucchesi said.

He described the incident as one involving hot fingers and loose lips. 

"The offender was seen talking to a resident in the area," Lucchesi said. "Then, a short time later, the victims, who knew (Ortiz) as an acquaintance, saw him out talking to somebody else. They had noticed their toolbox was gone. And they assumed he took it.

"When he drove off, they followed him. He parked on Tallman (Ave.). They confronted him. He admitted he did steal it. He had the toolbox in his vehicle."

Lucchesi said the stolen property—the toolbox and its contents—was valued at $350. He said Ortiz was booked and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. And it's not the first time he's been tossed in jail.

Will County Sheriff's Office records show Ortiz was booked on domestic battery charges in February 2013 and February 2010 and on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault in July 2009.