Full Notification

Chief Larry Yott and the Palos Heights Police announce the approval of formal charges against two Alsip residents in connection with an October 26, 2011, home invasion and a Thanksgiving Day residential burglary. On Thursday, December 22, 2011, the Cook County States Attorney’s Office approved the charges brought forward by the Palos Heights Police.

On December 8, 2011, Mark Stanko, 26, and Tracy Denell, 28, were arrested by the Palos Heights Police, along with members of the South Suburban Major Case Unit and the DuPage County Sheriffs Office. The arrests were a culmination of a six week investigation by the agencies believed to be affected by crimes committed by Stanko and Denell. Since that time, both defendants have been held at the DuPage County Jail on similar charges stemming from a home invasion that occurred in unincorporated Willowbrook on November 2.

On October 26, 2011, an 80 year old female resident in the 12300 block of Pine Place was sprayed with a chemical substance after an intruder forced his way into the residence. The victim then had jewelry taken from an upstairs bedroom.

On Thanksgiving Day, Palos Heights residents returned to their home in the 12400 block of 71st Ave., to find their house had been burglarized and a large amount of change, rare coins, and jewelry were taken from the home.

Police executed a search warrant at the address of the defendant’s home, 11131 S. Avon, Alsip, IL, and recovered proceeds taken in these incidents.

Stanko is being held on a $750,000 bond and Denell’s bond was set at $500,000.