Police: South Elgin man fires shot in the air to stop teen burglar

A 70-year-old South Elgin man was cited after he fired a shot in the air to stop a 16-year-old boy later charged with multiple vehicle burglaries, police said.

Police responded about 4:47 a.m. Monday to the 1100 block of Fairfax Lane for a report of gunshots and found the two men fighting in the street in a struggle over a gun, Sgt. Mike Doty said. A police officer kicked the gun "out of the hands of both individuals and the fight was broken up," he said.

The juvenile was charged with three counts of burglary, a Class 2 felony, one count of aggravated resisting a peace officer, a Class 4 felony, and one count of criminal trespass to vehicle, a misdemeanor.

Charles Bickle, 70, of the 1100 block of Fairfax Drive in South Elgin, was charged with violating an ordinance regarding the unlawful use of weapons, which carries a $50 fine, Doty said. Bickle has a valid Firearm Owners Identification card, he said.

During their investigation, officers determined the teenager had been burglarizing unlocked vehicles and Bickle was one of the victims, Doty said. Bickle told police he saw the teen burglarize his vehicle and then saw him walk up to his neighbor's vehicle, Doty said.

Bickle approached the teen and called 911, and the teen hit the phone out of Bickle's hand, Doty said. Bickle "had a handgun to defend himself and fired a round into the air to get the teen to stop fighting him," Doty said.

Both individuals suffered scrapes and bruises, and were treated at the scene, Doty said.

South Elgin police have recovered several items from three burglaries to motor vehicles that took place overnight between Sunday and Monday, Doty said.

"There are three reported but there could be more based on the number of items that we've recovered," he said.

Police ask residents to contact South Elgin police at (847) 741-2151 if they are missing any items from their vehicles, and remind residents to lock their vehicles.