On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at approximately 10:42 a.m. the Elmhurst Police Department responded to the At Home store located at 265 S. IL Route 83 for a 911 call reporting a man that attempted to break into the rear of a UPS vehicle parked in front of the store. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a citizen who observed a masked man exit a Chrysler minivan that was parked in a disabled parking space and enter the passenger door of the UPS vehicle. The citizen approached and saw the suspect use two large screwdrivers, attempting to break into the locked rear package compartment of the vehicle. The suspect was not successful breaking the door and got back into the Chrysler. The suspect vehicle fled the scene through the parking lot. The citizen related they recognized the suspicious activity and began recording the suspect with their cell phone.
Elmhurst Police detectives located the Chrysler driving in the area and worked with Villa Park, Oak Brook, and Hinsdale investigators to stop the suspect vehicle on I-88 near York Street. The burglary suspect was taken into custody and an additional five men were inside the Chrysler. The suspects were transported to the Elmhurst Police Department for further investigation.
Investigators determined the Chrysler used in this incident had a fraudulent license plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle. Also, two of the men in the Chrysler operated as lookouts during the burglary. One lookout was inside the At Home store watching the UPS driver as he made his delivery and another lookout stood in the shopping center parking lot, likely in case of police response. The Chrysler was a rental vehicle, driven to the Chicago area from California by the suspects. This vehicle is linked to several investigations of package thefts from UPS delivery vehicles in the suburbs over the last two weeks.
Daniel Fernando Martinez, a 43-year-old male of the 3300 block of E. Andy Street, Long Beach, California was charged with Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools. He was transported to the DuPage County Jail. During First Appearance Court on August 29, 2024, Martinez was issued pretrial release with a next court date of September 23, 2024. Elmhurst investigators are coordinating with other suburban police departments and additional charges are pending in this case.
The Elmhurst Police Department wishes to thank the alert citizen that recorded the offense, though the public should maintain a safe distance and call 911 when observing criminal activity. Members of the public are reminded defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
