Police: Charges Forthcoming In Two Palos Heights Home Invasions

Palos Heights was hit with several home invasions in recent months and police believe they have found the pair responsible for two of them. 

Mark Stanko, 26, and Tracy Denell, 28, both of the 11000 block of Avon in Alsip, were charged with home invasion, armed robbery and residential burglary in DuPage County today. Police say charges stemming from the Palos Heights incidents could be finalized as early as next week.

The DuPage County charges are from a home invasion in unincorportated Willowbrook on Nov. 2 where Stanko sprayed a chemical substance in the homeowner's face, took valuables and then fled, .

The investigation was a joint two month effort between the sheriff's office and the , said Palos Heights Police Sgt. Tim Holder. Last night a search warrant was carried out at the suspects' Alsip home where evidence of the crimes and items taken from the homes were found, Holder said.

On Oct. 26, a home on the 12300 block of Pine Place was robbed when a man , police reported at the time.   

Then on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, a home on 12400 block of 71st Avenue was burglarized while the occupants were not home. The home had been staked out a month prior according to a ledger book found in the suspects home by police, Holder said.  

Dog food was spilled on the kitchen floor to keep the family's dog occupied while cash, jewelry and heirlooms from a recently deceased relative were taken, police said. 

After searching the Alsip home police were able to recover items that were taken in the Palos Heights robberies, Holder said. 

One of the suspects gave a full confession when questioned on Thursday and the department is currently working with the Cook County States Attorney's office on charges, Holder said. 

"We put high priority on this and are pleased that we were able to recover some of the items that were taken," Holder said. 

Stanko and Denell were scheduled to appear in court later this afternoon. 

UPDATED, 12/12, 2:50 p.m.: Bail was set at $750,000 for Stanko and $500,000 for Denell upon their appearance in DuPage County bond court today, said Palos Heights Det. Gerard Wodka. 

The duo is suspected in at least five other area home invasions besides the incident in which they have already been charged, Wodka said. The duo is suspected of crimes in the two invasions in Palos Heights, one in unincorporated Palos Heights, one in Alsip, and one in Oak Lawn, Wodka said.

All the involved agencies will work together as the various charges are organized.

Their next court date is Jan. 19 in DuPage County.