Police arrest Bloomington man for eastside vehicle break-in spree

A Bloomington man was arrested early Thursday after allegedly stealing items from nine vehicles in an eastside neighborhood.

Around 3 a.m., Officer Jeff Rees responded to a report of two subjects breaking into vehicles in the Park Ridge East neighborhood, Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department said.

After arriving in the area, Rees saw William D. Booker, 40, leaning through a Jeep’s open door, Canada said. When Rees yelled to Booker, the suspect began to run.

The officer then tackled Booker into the vehicle and subdued him. The second subject was not located.

According to Rees’ report, Booker admitted to breaking into six or seven different vehicles looking for spare change so he could buy crack cocaine. Rees and other officers determined the suspect had actually broken into at least nine vehicles and stolen multiple items.

In Booker’s pockets, police found two wallets, $64 in cash, red gloves, a bag filled with various foreign currency, around $15 in spare change, a small change pouch containing $100 in cash, two tie clips and a pin with the name Hercules printed on it.

Some items were returned to their owners that morning while others were checked in as evidence, Canada said.

According to Rees’ report, the nine vehicles appeared to have been left unlocked.

"It doesn’t matter where you live,” Canada said. “Lock your car doors.”

Even if the doors are locked, do not leave any valuable items in a vehicle, Canada said. If an item must be left inside a car, place it under a seat or in a seat pocket so it’s out of view.

“It’s easy for someone to smash out a window, grab an item and be gone in a matter of seconds,” Canada said.

David LeBeau, president of the Park Ridge East Neighborhood Association Executive Committee, said the neighborhood is grateful the BPD responded so quickly to the call.

“Their tireless efforts around the clock make Bloomington a safer place to live,” LeBeau said. “We do need to do our part by locking doors and securing valuables, taking the opportunity away from those who are tempted.”


— Jake New