Suspect now in jail, charged with eight counts of burglary
By Dee Longfellow
For The Independent
Last week, the Independent learned that a worker at an Elmhurst senior living facility had been accused of stealing from the homes of at least eight elderly residents of Park Place.
In a call to the offices of the DuPage County State’s Attorney, Paul Darrah told the Independent in an interview that Eugene Dorsey, 29, of the 4900 block of Grace Street in Chicago, is now in DuPage County jail, charged with eight counts of residential burglary. Judge Richard Russo set Dorsey’s bail on Dec. 16 at $300,000; ten percent, $30,000 bond, is required for release.
Darrah said local police began investigating a resident’s independent living home in Park Place of Elmhurst on November 11, after it was reported that items were missing including jewelry. The investigation led to Dorsey, whom authorities now believe entered the apartments of at least eight residents at the facility between November 4 and 11 and took things like rings, bracelets, and necklaces. It is situations and incidents like this that often make senior citizens lose faith in institutions of the sort. Maybe this is probably why most of them turn towards in-home care (you can learn more here) or search for social workers who can help, rather than opting to stay in the facility and receive the care. That said, while there is no surety about what action residents will take, they might be looking at better facilities (similar to the ones provided by Milwaukee Assisted Living Placement Services) to move to as that could be one of the most viable options.
Dorsey worked strictly on the assisted living side of the facility and should not have been on the independent living side of the building at all.
Prosecutors say Dorsey pawned the stolen items, Darrah said. Officials were able to take him into custody on Dec. 15 without incident.
Dorsey’s next court date is scheduled for Dec. 28 in front of Judge Brian Telander.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin released the following statement about Dorsey’s arrest:
“The allegations that Mr. Dorsey stole valuables worth thousands of dollars from seniors, all of whom are more than eighty years old, is unconscionable. As one of society’s most vulnerable populations, our seniors deserve our love and respect. They do not deserve to have their valuables stolen from them and pawned, as is alleged in this case.”
Berlin thanked the Elmhurst Police Department Detective Division and Assistant State’s Attorney Megan McGuire for their work on the case.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
