Man arrested for burglary after stolen car was found behind a building
Bryson R. Lathum, 29, was booked on a slew of charges that included possession of a stolen motor vehicle, criminal damage to property and burglary.
According to Peoria police, he was nabbed at about 8:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of East Virginia Avenue after they were called to the area on a report of a burglary, a police spokeswoman said.
When officers arrived, they found the 2017 white Ford Econoline van which was reported stolen in Peoria Heights less than an hour beforehand.
According to a report filed at the Peoria Heights Police Department, the van was taken from the 500 block of East Glen Avenue which is the Peoria Heights High School bus barn.
A Peoria Heights officer was able to identify Lathum based upon security video footage which briefly showed his face. The van was reported stolen and within about 30 minutes, it was located at the East Bluff address, according to the report.
The security footage from the school property allegedly showed Lathum taking items from the school's concession stand before he allegedly took the van., the report said.
When officers searched the building on Virginia, they allegedly found Lathum trying to hide in a walk-in cooler inside the building with keys to the car and building keys within his reach, the report said.
When questioned, Lathum declined to answer questions. It was not immediately clear if when or if he would be formally charged in court on the allegations.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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