Police recently arrested three teens who allegedly broke into several cars one night in Elmhurst, a town on the DuPage and Cook county border. Area residents called the police after seeing the teens pulling on car door handles. An investigation revealed that they allegedly gained entry to three cars and stole from one. Police charged the teens with one count of Burglary to a Motor Vehicle and two counts of Criminal Trespass to a Motor Vehicle. Burglary involves an unlawful invasion of privacy. Furthermore, entering a property without permission can lead to violence between the offender and property occupants. For these reasons, burglary is considered a felony offense in Illinois.
Burglary to a Motor Vehicle
According to the Illinois Criminal Code, there is only one definition for burglary. Burglary occurs when:
- An individual enters a building or structure without permission
- The individual intends to commit a felony or theft
Burglary is not limited to residential houses and apartments. The offense may involve a house trailer, aircraft, watercraft, railroad car, or motor vehicle. The law equates a vehicle to a residence because people could (and sometimes do) live in a vehicle.
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