On Monday March 6, 2023, at 5:26 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Walnut Drive for the report of a suspicious person seen making entry to parked vehicles in the area. Officers immediately responded to the area and subsequently located an individual, Charley Soto (22 years-of-age) of St. Charles, going through a vehicle which did not belong to him. Officers consulted with the vehicle owner and learned that the owner did not know Soto and had not given Soto permission to be in the vehicle. At the time Soto was spotted by police, he was wearing gloves, carrying a flashlight, and in possession of a bag containing numerous items.
Officers learned that other vehicles parked in the area appeared to have been rummaged through. Contact was made with those vehicle owners who confirmed that items in the vehicles had been moved and/or were missing.
Officers found Soto in possession of a number of those items including credit cards not issued to him. Soto was found to be in possession of two knives having blades longer than 3 inches. He was also in possession of live ammunition and possessed a substance believed to be a controlled substance.
Soto was arrested and transported to the St. Charles Police Department. This case was reviewed with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and the following charges were authorized:
- Burglary Without Causing Damage – Class 3 Felony (3 counts)
- Unlawful Possession of a Credit or Debit Card – Class 4 Felony
- Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class 4 Felony
- Unlawful Use or Possession of Weapons or Ammunition by a Convicted Felon – Class 3 Felony.
- Armed Violence – Category II Weapon – Class X Felony (3 Counts)
Soto was later transported to the Kane County Jail to await a bond hearing.
The charges against Soto are not proof of guilt. He is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
