Crime & Courts

DeKalb man charged after attempts to steal quarters from apartment building laundry machines

DeKALB – A DeKalb man is facing charges after allegedly attempting to steal quarters from laundry machines within apartment complexes he does not live in.

Richard L. Bester, 39, of the 300 block of Augusta Avenue, DeKalb, was arrested and charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, and theft from a coin operated machine, a Class 4 felony. If convicted of the Class 2 felony, Bester could face up to seven years in prison.

According to DeKalb County court documents, Bester allegedly entered the laundry area meant only for apartment residents in the 900 block of Ridge Drive at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 and again on Dec. 21. Police say he removed a piece of paper from a wall and used the paper to cover up the security camera in the upper corner of the laundry room.

“Bester then attempted to break into one of the laundry machines by drilling the lock area, causing damage to the laundry machine of over $100,” court documents state. “Bester was unable to access the coins inside the laundry machine.”

Bester allegedly told police it was him who covered the security camera in the laundry room, records state, and that he’d gone to the building twice before to attempt to get money from the machines.

According to court records, Bester has a prior conviction for burglary from 2017.

DeKalb County Judge Marcy Buick appointed the public defender to represent Bester in open court on Friday. Bester was present for the hearing via Zoom.

Bester said in court he helps to flip houses for a living, meaning he helps renovate houses so they can later be sold.

“We ask that you keep the bond amount but set bail as recognizance so he can return to work,” DeKalb County Public Defender Tom McCulloch said during the hearing Friday.

Following the request of prosecutors, Buick set Bester’s bond at $20,000. Bester would need to post 10%, or $2,000, to get out of jail.

Bester is due back in court 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26 before Buick.

Katie Finlon

Katie Finlon

Katie Finlon covers local government and breaking news for DeKalb County in Illinois. She has covered local government news for Shaw Media since 2018 and has had bylines in Daily Chronicle, Kendall County Record newspapers, Northwest Herald and in public radio over the years.