A recent incident on the South Side of Chicago has once again highlighted the dangers of burglary, as a three-time convicted burglar found himself facing burglary charges after being shot in the leg by a homeowner.
The incident took place in the early hours of March 7, when police responded to a “burglary in progress” call and found 59-year-old Jose Pantoja lying in an alley behind the 5100 block of South Loomis Boulevard with a gunshot wound to his right leg. According to reports, a 40-year-old homeowner heard someone breaking into his garage and discovered Pantoja wearing a mask and attempting to steal tools. When Pantoja tried to flee, the homeowner, who had a valid concealed carry license, shot him in the leg.
Police recovered Pantoja’s backpack, which contained stolen tools that the homeowner identified as his property. Among the items found in the backpack were a Dremel tool, a drill, and a “crowbar-like item” that Pantoja allegedly used to break into the garage. Pantoja was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment and has been charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. Despite his criminal history, prosecutors did not seek his detention, and he will remain free pending trial.
Court records show that Pantoja has been convicted of burglary three times in Cook County, underscoring the repeated nature of his criminal activities. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick action in protecting one’s property from burglars.
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