COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Belmont Central teen broke into an ice cream shop looking for cash, but stopped to eat some of the frozen treats, prosecutors said.
While inside the store, Elvin Renteria was caught on video surveillance cameras — eventually leading to his arrest, prosecutors said.
The 17-year-old, of the 2200 block of North Menard Avenue, is now charged with burglary. Cook County Judge James Brown ordered Renteria held on $30,000 bond Tuesday.
Renteria allegedly used a screwdriver to pry his way in through the back door of an ice cream shop, Paleteria La Monaraca, at 5633 W. Diversey Ave. on April 7.
He allegedly told police that he broke into the shop looking for cash and "ate some ice cream."
Police later arrested him while he was walking in the 2400 block of North Mango Avenue Monday when they recognized him from the surveillance video.
The owner of Paleteria La Monarca could not be reached for comment.
But the wife of the man who owns the property and leases it to the shop owner said the space is mostly used for storage of treats sold from an ice cream truck, although the building has some limited summer hours when it's open to the public.
Renteria was charged as an adult in the case, although he has no adult criminal history.
His mother said she learned of his arrest after the Tuesday hearing.
"He has been getting in trouble a lot," she said.
