At 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday the 17th, Riverside Police Department received dispatch fromWC3 (the consolidated dispatch center) reporting a suspicious person/break-in in progress on the 300 block of Robinson Court which is immediately adjacent to the 3500 block of South Harlem Avenue.
The homeowner/victim saw there was an individual trying to force open his door, which he was watching live on his Ring video. He then called WC3 from Chicago to report the incident and WC3 dispatched police officers were to the location. Within 9 minutes of his call to 9-1-1, Riverside police apprehended the offender at 10:19 a.m. walking along the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks just west of Harlem Avenue (3300 block of South Harlem).
It was learned through investigation that the 27-year-old Brookfield resident was highly intoxicated and had been kicked out of his home in Brookfield. He was held for investigation and police contacted the homeowner who did not wish to charge or sign criminal complaints for attempted burglary as the offender never gained access to enter his home. Riverside police then summoned paramedics and transported the offender to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn for treatment for alcohol overdose.
This individual had a criminal history and was intent on breaking into the home, but was too intoxicated to accomplish that.
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel stated, “If there was ever a video or event that displays how video doorbell systems are an important device in assisting in police investigations, and in this case preventing a burglary, this video would be it. It clearly shows the offender attempting to get in the front door and remains between the outer wood door and the storm door for some time jiggling the door handle trying to get in. While the homeowner ultimately did not want to criminally prosecute, there's no question that a crime was averted because of the video doorbell system and the immediate reporting of this incident to Riverside police.”
Go to RPD's Twitter account @pdriverside to view video.