June 17, 2016 – A Chicago man was charged in connection with the early morning burglary Thursday of Element Cyclesport, 1101 Chicago Ave., after two residents reported seeing the man break the glass door, enter the store and steal a bicycle valued at nearly $1,000.
Syrron S. Williams, 30, of the 1000 block of north California Avenue was charged with felony burglary after being apprehended within 10 minutes of the incident. He is being held pending a bond hearing today.
The two residents who lived nearby on Marion Street told police that while out for a walk near their home at about 1 a.m. they saw a man pacing in front of the store. He then struck the door causing the glass to shatter, entered through the broken door and removed a bicycle, they said.
Within minutes of the 911 call, a responding officer spotted a man fitting the description of the burglar on a bicycle similar to the one stolen travelling east on Chicago Avenue near Grove Avenue. The man was detained and later identified as the burglar by the witnesses.
The store’s owner, who came to secure the business, told police the bicycle – a Trek X-Caliber 7 – had been on a floor rack and was priced at $959.99.
Police Chief Rick C. Tanksley praised the quick action of the residents who he credited with playing a key role in apprehending the suspect.
“Residents are our most important allies in preventing and solving crimes,” he said. “Try as we may, officers can’t be everywhere. But with the help of residents who keep their eyes open for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, we can respond quickly and, as in this instance, catch a suspect within blocks of where a crime was committed.”
Tanksley urged residents to never hesitate to call 911 when they see suspicious activity.
More information on the Oak Park Police Department, including how to contact the officers assigned to specific neighbor beats, is posted at www.oak-park.us/police.
![photo of Syrron S. Williams](/sites/default/files/police/photos/williams-syrron-web.jpg)
Syrron S. Williams