Police arrest suspect in North Side robberies

CHICAGO A tip from one business owner helped police track down the suspect.

"He's a career burglar and he used tools to gain entrance through the doors of the business establishments," said Cmdr. Edward O'Donnell, Chicago Police Dept.

Fifty-four-year-old Charles Kimball of Chicago is charged with burglary of a tavern on the North Side and admitted to participating in 19 burglaries, police say. The investigation started after a bar owner showed police surveillance video of Kimball attempting to enter his establishment.

"After hours of surveillance, Kimball was observed forcing his way into a tavern located at 2816 North Halsted and carrying proceeds from the tavern to his van," said O'Donnell.

"He covered quite a bit of territory. He was very patient in what he did, very selective," said Det. Keith Greco, Chicago Police Dept.

Kimball goes by other aliases and was arrested Wednesday after police placed him under surveillance.

"Detectives fromt eh major case squad recognized Kimball from his pictures as an offender which they had arrested for 13 burglaries in 2005. They found out that Kimball was paroled in November of 2007," said O'Donnell.

Police say Kimball told them that he is a contractor with a drug problem. He admitted to breaking into mostly bars and cleaners, cash-driven businesses, in the 2400 block of North Clark, the 2500 block of North Lincoln Avenue, and in the 1300 block of North Milwaukee Avenue.

"He said that he only looks for cash and that these particular businesses tend to keep loose cash," said O'Donnell.

Police say other areas burglarized were located in the 4600 block of North Lincoln Avenue, the 1500 block of North Clark and the 1300 block of Irving Park.