Three men have been arrested, and three men are wanted in connection with a series of overnight commercial burglaries that targeted local retailers.
From February 2024 to May 2025, the Chicago suburbs will see approximately 115 overnight burglaries against local retailers. Offenders would arrive at their intended destinations in stolen vehicles or rental cars bearing stolen registrations. The offenders would force their way inside the establishment while concealing their faces with hoods and masks, occasionally brandishing weapons, and stealing substantial amounts of retail merchandise. Police departments attempted to apprehend the group, but the criminals fled at speeds greater than 100 mph.
Arlington Heights Police Department and Vernon Hills Police Department led a collaboration with police departments in Addison, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Oak Lawn, Worth, Barrington, South Barrington, Deerfield, Wauconda, Gilberts, West Dundee, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Carpentersville, Des Plaines, Westchester, Wilmette, Northbrook, North Chicago, Glencoe, Skokie, Morton Grove, and Chicago.
The investigation identified six common offenders. Demario M. Brown, 26, of Chicago; Dequane J. Hall, 29, of Chicago; Darryl D. Williamson, 26, of Chicago; Jimmy C. Hall, 30, of Chicago; Antonio Lewis, 26, of Chicago; and Marquise D. Williamson, 24, of Wheeling, have all been identified as members of a gang on Chicago’s west side.
Jimmy C. Hall was arrested and charged with 16 burglaries, one theft, five charges of organized retail crime, and one attempted burglary.
Dequane Hall was arrested and charged with two burglaries and one count of organized retail crime.
Marquise Williamson was arrested and charged with 13 burglaries, one theft, and four counts of organized retail crime.
Originally, the group’s focus was on stealing and reselling catalytic converters in 2023. The group obtained vehicles by using digital programming devices designed for specific models. The targets began as ATM-equipped establishments and then expanded to high-end liquors and cosmetic products. Retailers lost almost $1 million. Social media and word-of-mouth resold the items online.
Detectives cooperated with Illinois Attorney General prosecutors to bring 98 charges against the conspirators.
Marquise Williamson’s court date is scheduled for July 17. Jimmy Hall and Dequane Hall’s court hearing is set for July 21.
The three remaining suspects have not been apprehended.
Anyone with information should notify the Arlington Heights Police Department.