Published: November 23, 2009 12:43 pm      

Three face burglary charges

CLINTON — A Rock Falls, Ill., man and two teens were arrested Saturday after allegedly breaking into a Clinton woman’s residence and stealing a plasma television.

Michael T. Clapper, Jr., 18, made his initial court appearance Monday morning in Clinton County District Court and was charged with second-degree burglary. The Class C felony carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Clapper’s two alleged teenage accomplices, Zachary Schachel, 17, and Steven McAlonan, 16, also were arrested on felony charges following the incident. According to a court affidavit, the three carried knives during the burglary.

The 53-year-old resident, who was not home at the time of the burglary, reported the incident Saturday night around 7 p.m. According to court records, Clapper, Schachel and McAlonan, broke into the residence in the 2000 block of North Fifth Street around 1:30 p.m. that day and stole the television, valued at $1,430.87.

Police found the television in one of the teens’ bedrooms, according to the court affidavit. Upon being interviewed by police, the three admitted to stealing the television and to carrying knives during the burglary.

Clapper is being held in the Clinton County Jail on $10,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1.