Burglary Suspect, Elderly Uncle Once Worked as Cat Burglar Team

Police charged Kenneth Jackson with three residential burglaries in Orland Park and Burr Ridge last week. But as Sergeant Marc Loftus of the Burr Ridge Police Department noted, it's only the latest chapter in a long criminal history for the 53-year-old Oak Lawn resident.

"He's prolific," said Loftus, who provided links to news stories from 2009. 

Jackson, then 50 years old, and his then 75-year-old uncle, William Jackson, of the 1200 block of McDaniels Avenue, Highland Park, were each charged in 2009 with three felony counts of residential burglary, six felony counts of possession of burglary tools, and one felony count of possession of stolen property after they were suspected in 19 North Shore burglaries, the Highland Park News reported on April 27, 2009. 

The 19 burglaries took place over the 22 months prior to the Jacksons' arrests, the paper reported. Residents in Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glenview, Glencoe, Northbrook and Highland Park were among the victims.

Just as police said they believe Kenneth Jackson did during his two alleged Burr Ridge burglaries in 2012, news records state the pair entered the burglarized homes at night while the residents were inside sleeping. 

The cat burglars took cash, jewelry and silverware from their victims.

"Police believe the Jacksons' method of operation included dressing in camouflage clothing, headgear and masks, and using night vision equipment," the Highland Park News story reads. "Proceeds may have been placed into a backpack they would carry. They believe the men would park their vehicle in an inconspicuous location and walk to their targets."

The Jacksons were each later charged with two more counts of residential burglary after Northfield police connected them to two home burglaries in the village, the Winnetka Talk reported on May 19, 2009.

Both Jacksons pleaded guilty to Lake County theft charges and served prison time, Lake County assistant state's attorney Matthew DeMartini said.

Kenneth Jackson was given a max sentence of five years, and William a max sentence of six. DeMartini said his office does not know the younger Jackson's exact date of release, but with good behavior he would have been out in two-and-a-half years, minus the time he already served during his case's progression.

DeMartini said Jackson's Lake County parole had been terminated.

Kenneth Jackson, of the 9800 block of South Keeler, Oak Lawn, was charged on Wednesday with two burglaries. One took place in the 0-10 block of Longwood Drive in Burr Ridge during the overnight hours between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, Burr Ridge police said. Another took place in Orland Park last August also during overnight hours, where he entered unlocked patio doors and stole about $30,000 worth of money and jewelry while residents slept, Orland Park police said.

Last week's charges came only a few months after Jackson was arrested near the intersection of 57th and Elm streets in Hinsdale on Oct. 8 and charged with a May 22 Burr Ridge burglary, during which a watch and money clip were stolen.

According to DuPage County's court database, Jackson has pleaded not guilty to the May 22 burglary, and has his latest court hearing on Jan. 23.

Editor's note: The Highland Park News story and Winnetka Talk story are part of Pioneer Local's archives and one must pay to view them.

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