Two arrested after burglary attempt in Dixon

Posted 7/31/24

DIXON – On Wednesday, July 10, Lee County Deputies were dispatched to the area of US Route 30 and Walton Road in rural Dixon for a Burglary in progress. 

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Two arrested after burglary attempt in Dixon

Posted

DIXON – On Wednesday, July 10, Lee County Deputies were dispatched to the area of US Route 30 and Walton Road in rural Dixon for a Burglary in progress. 

Two individuals wearing masks were observed running from a residence and into a black GMC Sierra pickup.  The vehicle then left the residence and was seen traveling north towards the City of Dixon.  A witness observed a passenger exit the vehicle just south of Dixon on Pump Factory Road. 

Dixon Police Officers were in the area and located the black GMC Sierra.  A traffic stop was conducted near Rock Island Road and Atkinson Road, and the driver, identified as Michael E. Miller, was detained. 

A short time later, Lee County Deputies located an individual walking west on Interstate 88 just outside of Dixon that matched the description of the passenger.  As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested the two individuals on the following charges:

Michael E. Miller, 42-years of age, from Monmouth, Illinois was charged with:

Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony)

Theft (Class 3 Felony)

Driving While License Suspended (Class A Misdemeanor)

Criminal Trespass to Real Property (Class B Misdemeanor)

Operating a Motor Vehicle with Registration Suspended (Business Offense)

Miller is currently on felony probation from Whiteside County.  He was charged on January 10, 2024 with the offenses of burglary (Class 2 Felony) and retail theft greater than $300 (Class 3 Felony) in Whiteside County Case Number 24CF31.  On June 12, 2024, Miller pleaded guilty to felony Retail Theft and was placed on 24 months of probation.

Julian J. Belmonte, 30-years of age, from Monmouth, Illinois was charged with:

Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony)

Theft (Class 3 Felony)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor)

Criminal Trespass to Real Property (Class B Misdemeanor)

Belmonte is currently on pretrial release conditions out of Warren County on charges of child pornography (Class 3 Felony).  The charges were filed on February 16, 2024, in Warren County Case Number 24CF23.  Additionally, Belmonte has pending charges of retail theft (Class A Misdemeanor) that were filed on February 15, 2024, in Whiteside County Case Number 24CM44. 

In accordance with provisions of Illinois SAFE-T Act, Miller and Belmonte were again released on pretrial conditions in Lee County Case Numbers of 24CF181 and 24CF182, respectively.

Citizens are reminded to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (815) 284-6631 or Crime stoppers at 1-888-CAUGHT-U.  Callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards of up to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.