Carterville man sentenced to 15 years in prison for burglary

By Marissa Novel, @MarissaNovelDE

A Carterville resident who is originally from Lake County has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for an attempted residential burglary and burglary, according to Wednesday’s press release. 

Ronald Kelley Jr., 48, was convicted in April following a jury trial. He was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the attempted residential burglary and 8 years for the burglary, which will be served at the same time. 

Kelley will have to serve a three year period of mandatory supervised release on each count. 

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On Aug. 31, 2014, the Murphysboro Police Department was notified of an automobile burglary and officers were sent to a residence on South 9th Street. The vehicle owner said an unknown male, later identified as Kelley, was rummaging through their vehicle. The owner followed Kelley from the scene until he cut through a yard. 

The police received another call during this time, which indicated a male, who matched the description given by the first caller, had tried to enter a residence on South Street. The victim said she heard a noise coming from her bathroom, and when she went to investigate she found Kelley halfway in her bathroom window. He fled from the scene after she confronted him.

Within a few minutes of both calls to the police, officers located Kelley walking down Shomaker Drive, which was a short distance from the original calls. After searching him, officers found stolen property from another victim in the area who lived on South 15th Street. 

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