Arrest made in rash of beauty salon burglaries

NORTHBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a series of beauty salon burglaries in the Chicago area.

Alan Konwinski, 26, of Highland Park, was taken into custody Thursday during a traffic stop in Northbrook. Police said his vehicle fit the description of the car spotted at some of the burglary scenes.

Konwinski has been charged with five counts of burglary, but authorities say he's being investigated in connection with more than 80 burglaries of hair and nail salons in Chicago and the suburbs.

The four-county crime spree began in August, and in many of the cases, a pair of thieves breaks into the salon after closing. One burglar stays in a getaway vehicle while the other breaks glass and enters the business.

"Our investigation is still ongoing. We believe there's a second subject that's involved, and we're still looking into that," said Sgt. Mark Graf, Northbrook Police Dept.

In court, prosecutors said the suspect's employer recognized him from surveillance images on the news and called authorities.

At the time of his arrest, police said Konwinski was wearing the same hoodie that he allegedly was seen wearing in some of the burglary surveillance videos.

Police said he has admitted to being involved in some of the break-ins. Prosecutors said Konwinski has also admitted to having a heroin addiction, which may explain the sheer number of burglaries he was allegedly involved in.

Konwinski is being held on $50,000 bond.