In a brazen theft last November, burglars made off with $2.5 million in gold bars, coins, and jewelry from a home in Lincoln Park. Prosecutors report that the same group attempted another break-in at the same residence this spring, but abandoned their plan upon realizing the homeowner was present.
Currently, one suspect has been detained, while another is at large after failing to appear in court following a release pending trial.
According to court records, a 40-year-old woman returned to her home on the 2700 block of North Lakewood Avenue around 1:58 p.m. on November 17 to find her back door had been forcibly opened. Inside, she discovered that a safe containing valuables worth $2,523,009.33, including gold bars and coins, watches, and jewelry, had been stolen.
Security footage allegedly captured a white vehicle arriving in the alley behind the home just before the break-in. Prosecutors indicated that two individuals entered the yard and peered through the home’s windows before prying open the back door. Once inside, a third suspect joined them.
Prosecutors identified 27-year-old Corey Edwards as one of the burglars, noting that he was seen entering the house with a white bag, and that two Chicago police officers recognized him from surveillance footage.
Four months later, on March 16, Edwards and two accomplices reportedly returned for a second attempt. Prosecutors claim that around 4:50 a.m., the men tried to force open the back door by throwing their body weight against it. They fled when the homeowner shouted from inside. This attempted burglary was also caught on surveillance video, showing a red Chrysler Pacifica with Wisconsin plates near the scene.
Two days later, Chicago police intercepted the Pacifica on the Kennedy Expressway, finding Edwards and 32-year-old Marcel Smith inside, according to prosecutors. A red glove, allegedly worn by Smith during the attempted break-in, was also recovered.
Judge John Hock has ordered Edwards detained pending trial, citing his previous conviction for armed robbery. Edwards faces charges of burglary and attempted burglary.
Smith was arrested after the traffic stop and charged in connection with the March attempt. However, prosecutors did not request his detention, and Judge Antara Rivera released him pending trial. Smith failed to appear for a court hearing on April 29, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
Edwards’ past robbery conviction relates to a violent mugging in the Loop in December 2018. The victim was attacked in the garage at 801 South Financial Place, where he was pushed to the ground, kicked, and tased before the robbers demanded his belongings.
Police, equipped with descriptions from an earlier report of suspicious activity, apprehended the suspects near a Walgreens at 501 West Roosevelt Road. A Taser was recovered during these arrests. Edwards and three others later pleaded guilty to armed robbery.
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