3 charged with burglary for breaking into West Frankfort home | Crime

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (KFVS) - Three men are charged with burglary after police say they broke into a home where the resident had posted about a party on Facebook.

Kendrick Katrell Simelton, 20, of West Frankfort was charged with two counts or residential burglary, felony theft, and possession of stolen property.

Kelly N. Lonergan, 17, of Benton was charged with two counts of residential burglary, felony theft and possession of stolen property.

Willie M. Powell, 18, of Benton was charged with two counts of residential burglary, felony theft and possession of stolen property.

On July 11, the West Frankfort Police Department received a report of a home burglary on the 100 block of East 5th Street. Officers responded and learned that several items had been stolen from the home. They say the residents of the home were on vacation and unavailable for contact. A list of items known by the house caretaker was made and an investigation was launched.

According to police, they learned a family member of the homeowners had a party at the house a few days before the burglary. The family member posted information about the party on Facebook. Police say, as they typically see when people post too much personal information on social media outlets, it gets into the hands of criminals. Police say again this was the case because known criminals elected to show up at the party and act friendly. The investigation later revealed that it was these same people/criminals that returned with other criminals to burglarize the home.

After two days of investigation and continual surveillance, police say they began making arrests and recovering property. They say they recovered the majority of the stolen property as they found it to be hidden in the towns of West Frankfort, Benton, Zeigler, Marion and rural Franklin and Williamson counties.

Police say they are still looking for additional property stolen from the home, including:

• One pair of Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes, size 14
• One pair of Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes, size 8
• 18 pair Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes, size 13

Anyone with information on this case may contact West Frankfort Police Department at 618-937-3502 or tips@westfrankfortpd.com.

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