COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Two people have been charged with breaking into a North Center condo building Wednesday and stealing packages.
One of those charged, 42-year-old John Cline, is currently on parole for residential burglary. At the time of the package theft, Cline was free on a $150,000 bond for a separate pending residential burglary case from October, records show.
According to prosecutors, Cline and Jamie Christman, 39, walked up to a building in the 3900 block of North Western Avenue about 4 p.m. Wednesday and rang every single buzzer at the front door.
When no one answered, Cline headed back to the couple's red Jeep, which was parked on Western, and grabbed a pry bar, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing Thursday.
Cline and Christman then spent about five minutes inside the building before returning to the Jeep with several packages, prosecutors said.
That's when police made their arrest, according to an arrest report. It's not clear whether officers spotted the duo themselves or were tipped off by a witness.
According to court records, one of the packages contained a Go GaGa Deluxe Twist & Fold Gym, a mobile gym for babies. And none of the packages were addressed to Cline or Christman, who live together in the 5500 block of North Linder Avenue in Jefferson Park.
Once in custody, Christman told police she was not a thief and only broke into the building because of Cline, Scaduto said.
Cline, meanwhile, told police he had the pry bar in his Jeep for work, and Christman was the one who brought him to the condo that day, Scaduto added.
Each was charged with burglary.
Cline has seven prior felony convictions from Cook and Kane counties, including residential burglary, burglary and attempted burglary, according to prosecutors. He is self-employed as a truck driver, court records show.
Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan on Thursday ordered Cline held in lieu of $250,000 bond in this case. That's in addition to the $150,000 bond for the pending residential burglary case from October.
Christman has no publishable criminal background, prosecutors said. According to her attorney, she has five children and works as a home health care aide.
Sullivan said Christman could be released on her own recognizance as long as the Cook County Sheriff's Office agrees to provide electronic monitoring.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
