One of the more popular attractions at Lake Katherine are the kayaks, which visitors can rent to check out the nature center from a different perspective. There’s also a chance to spot muskrats, beavers, herons and turtles.
Earlier this month, on two occasions, Palos Heights police responded to Lake Katherine for the theft of a kayak. On August 9 and again on August 18 staff discovered chains securing the kayaks had been cut and three kayaks were missing.
After the second incident, surveillance cameras were installed.
On Saturday, August 23, at about 4:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to Lake Katherine after an employee observed a burglary in progress on surveillance video. The video showed a man breaking a window of a boathouse shed and leaving with several oars.
Although the man was not located at the scene, additional video footage showed the same suspect fishing at the property earlier in the morning, police said. Distinctive clothing he was wearing was clearly visible on the recording.
During their investigation, officers located a vehicle in the Lake Katherine parking lot that was unlocked, with its windows down and keys inside. Police said officers saw clothing inside the vehicle that matched what the suspect was seen wearing in the surveillance footage.
Police said they contacted the registered owner of the vehicle who said the suspect was their son and that he had recently brought home two kayaks. Police said the dates matched the thefts.
Their son, identified as Matt Crout, 30, of Chicago Ridge, was arrested at home without incident.
Two of the missing kayaks were recovered from the family garage. Crout allegedly admitted to the burglaries and told police the location of the stolen oars.
Crout was charged with one felony count of burglary and two misdemeanor counts of theft.
Crout was released pending a future court date at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
The Palos Heights Police Department would like to thank Lake Katherine staff for their cooperation during this investigation.