Police: Franklin man confesses to stealing from unlocked vehicles, 100+ items recovered

FRANKLIN -- Waterford police say a 25-year-old Franklin man was arrested, and more than 100 confirmed or suspected stolen items were recovered from his vehicle. Police say the man confessed to committing thefts to UNLOCKED vehicles in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Waterford police were notified on February 8th that the man had been taken into custody by the Lindenhurst, Illinois police department for numerous thefts in their jurisdiction.

This, after an officer from the Lake Villa Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the man's vehicle on January 29th. During that traffic stop, it was determined the man was in possession of stolen property.

Police say the man confessed to committing numerous thefts from vehicles in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He indicated he began committing the thefts in December as a way to earn money to buy his daughter Christmas gifts.

The man indicated he would only enter unlocked vehicles.

More than 100 confirmed or suspected stolen items were recovered from his vehicle. Evidence of items being previously pawned was also recovered.

Waterford police say some items reported stolen on or around January 28th in Waterford were recovered by Lindenhurst police.

Waterford police will be referring theft charges in this case.