Romeoville Woman 1 of 2 Nabbed in Liquor Store Burglary: Police

The following article was written by Patch Editor Shannon Antinori

A man and his girlfriend are facing felony charges after allegedly partnering to burglarize a Plainfield liquor store in the wee hours of Thanksgiving Day, police said.

Matthew R. Mulka, 30, of the 300 block of Woodside, Joliet, remained in jail Monday in lieu of $25,000 bail on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, knowingly damaging property and resisting an officer, according to jail records.

His girlfriend and alleged getaway driver, 33-year-old Erica L. Schillaci of the 500 block of Kensington in Romeoville, is also charged with burglary, police said.

Sgt. Mike Fisher said a Plainfield officer was driving past the Discount Liquors, 23145 Lincoln Highway in the Lily Cache Plaza, when he saw Mulka exiting the store at about 3:19 a.m.

Mulka is accused of smashing the glass door of the liquor store and stealing mainly cigarettes and some cash, Fisher said.

After a short foot chase, the officer caught up with Mulka near an auto body shop across the street from the liquor store. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle, Fisher said.

While apprehending Mulka, the officer noticed headlights turn on before a car peeled out of the liquor store parking lot. A backup officer made a traffic stop and arrested Schillaci, Fisher said.

Schillaci is also being held on $25,000 bail. Both she and Mulka were due in Will County court Monday afternoon.

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