ILLINOIS COMPUTER CRIMES SOLVED AT SCHOOLSNews - Park Ridge AdvocateThree Park Ridge teenagers were charged with theft and burglary last week in connection with 13 cases stretching over the last 16 months.

Police Blotter

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Park Ridge police have recovered more than $20,000 worth of stolen property in these cases, which involved the theft of at least five laptop computers, a bicycle and a CD player. Eleven of the thefts took place at Park Ridge public schools and park district facilities, the others included a residential burglary two weeks ago and a bicycle theft.

Facing one count of felony residential burglary and three counts of theft each are Mohammad A. Hamolaila, 17, of the 2000 block of South Newton Avenue, and Cody L. Barkus, 18, of the 900 block of North Florence Drive. Also charged with one count of felony residential burglary is Mitsu Y. Shah, 17, of 1100 block of North Potter Road.

The three appeared in Cook County Circuit Court in Skokie May 20 and were released on $5,000 bond each. Yesterday a judge scheduled their next court appearance for June 22.

"This is big," said Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Thomas Swoboda last week. "I think that a lot of times when you're able to arrest a couple of individuals - a lot of times they can be responsible for a large number of crimes. This seems to be one of those situations."

While some of the stolen property - including a number of computers - was found in the possession of the three suspects, Swoboda said not all of the property has been recovered.

Park Ridge Police Chief Jeffrey S. Caudill credits "several investigative leads from citizens" and follow-up by Park Ridge detectives with leading to the arrests.

Caudill said he believes the arrests clear these thefts and burglaries from the department's "unsolved" list:

* May 11 - LDC projector taken from Maine South High School; a residential burglary on the 900 block of Forestview Avenue. List of stolen property not available.

* April 27 - CD player taken from Maine South.

* April 26 - Two laptop computers, a digital thermometer and U.S. currency taken from Lincoln Middle School.

* April 22 - Speakers taken from the Park Ridge Community Center.

* April 15 - Wireless headset taken from the Park Ridge Community Center; a volt meter taken from the Park Ridge Community Center.

* April 7 - LCD projector taken from Maine South.

* Jan. 16 - Computer equipment taken from Washington School.

* Jan. 13 - Two laptop computers taken from the Carpenter School.

* Sept. 16, 2003 - Sixty shirts and a bookcase taken from Maine Park Leisure Center.

* Aug. 4, 2003 - Bicycle taken from the 300 block of South Fairview Avenue.

* Feb. 4, 2003 - Laptop computer taken from Maine South.