Two Wildwood Residents Charged with Commercial Air Conditioner Thefts

—Submitted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

On Jan. 14, 2014 a multijurisdictional investigation involving the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Grayslake Police Department, Gurnee Police Department, and Round Lake Police Department resulted in the arrest of Ricki Lucas, 37, and Kevin Blottiaux, 36, both of the 32000 block of Rolling Hills Road in Wildwood.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 17, 2013, 68 commercial air conditioner units (totaling over $100,000) were stolen. A witness observed a black 1997 Buick LeSabre in the area during one of the thefts. Information was then developed using data from area recycling businesses throughout Lake County on Lucas and Blottiaux.

On Jan. 9 Lucas and Blottiaux were stopped by Lake County Sheriff’s detectives driving a black 1997 Buick LaSabre. 

On Jan. 14 Lucas and Blottiaux were caught stealing a commercial air conditioner unit from Waukegan Glass Company by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Grayslake Police Department, and Gurnee Police Department. Both Lucas and Blottiaux were cooperative and gave full confessions clearing all cases.

Lucas and Blottiaux were charged with 12 counts of theft (Class 3 Felony) and two counts of theft (Class 2 Felony) for the thefts occurring in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.

Lucas and Blottiaux were charged with theft (Class 1 Felony), two counts of theft (Class 2 Felony) and three counts of theft (Class 3 Felony) for the thefts occurring in the Grayslake Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Lucas and Blottiaux were charged with three counts of theft (Class 3 Felony), two counts of theft (Class 2 Felony), and theft over for theft from a church (Class 1 Felony) for the thefts occurring in the Gurnee Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Lucas and Blottiaux were charged with theft (Class 3 Felony) for the theft occurring in the Round Lake Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Lucas’s jail bond was set at $50,000.

She is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 5, 2014.

Blottiaux’s jail bond was set at $100,000.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 5, 2014.