On Monday, March 13th, 2023 at approximately 3:40 p.m., the Dixon Police Department received a call for service from a citizen within the 1000 block of South Galena Avenue. The caller indicated an unknown suspect(s) arrived at their residence indicating they worked for the City of Dixon’s Water Department. The individual they spoke with was a black male wearing a green and yellow vest, while also having some type of documentation with the City of Dixon logo with the Dixon Arch. The unknown suspect requested the home owner to walk to the backyard with them.
While this was occurring, the unknown suspect was speaking with a second unknown suspect via portable radio (walkie talkies). The home owner indicated they believe at that time; the other unknown suspect(s) entered the residence and took serval personal items from the residence.
Through the course of the investigation and while canvassing the neighborhood, officers were able to identify several residences that had personal security cameras on their property. In speaking to the owners of the security cameras, officers were able to obtain video surveillance which captured the suspect vehicle, a black Ford Edge, and five suspects that were involved in this incident. From the surveillance video that was obtained, it was clear the suspect vehicle had traveled to the location, 1000 block of South Galena Avenue, from the north and left the area heading southbound.
Detectives were able to provide the Illinois Tollway with a description of the vehicle and were able to obtain additional images of the vehicle through License Plate Readers. Information and images were disseminated to law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois in an attempt to identify the suspects and the vehicle. It was learned through the course of the investigation the same black Ford Edge had been used in other similar style burglaries throughout Illinois.
Detectives from the Dixon Police Department worked members of the Glencoe Police Department, Naperville Police Department, and the North Regional Major Crime Task Force (NORTAF) in order to obtain additional evidence for the investigation. On May 19th, 2023 arrest warrants were obtained for the following: Mike Miller, age 52, Arlington Heights, IL, Residential Burglary, Class 1 Felony, Lawrence Miller, age 29, Arlington Heights, IL, Residential Burglary, Class 1 Felony, Sam Mason, age 26, Arlington Heights, IL, Residential Burglary, Class 1 Felony Buddy Mason, age 22, Arlington Heights, IL, Residential Burglary, Class 1 Felony.
On April 10th, 2023 Lawrence Miller and Sam Mason were taken into custody on an unrelated case and are currently in the DuPage County Jail. On June 6th, 2023 Mike Miller and Buddy Mason were taken into custody in Gurnee, IL and transported to Lee County Jail.
The charges are merely an allegation and all parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrest(s) are pending. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Dixon Police Department at (815) 288-4411, or through the department’s social media sites as well.
The Dixon Police Department was also assisted by the Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office.