Serial Burglary Suspect Gets Prison Term

A judge sentenced to four years in prison after the St. Charles man pleaded guilty to a 2010 home break-in described by authorities as being part of a months-long burglary spree.

Prosecutors dropped four other felony cases in a deal that also requires 57-year-old Behrendt to pay approximately $28,000 in restitution by March 2016.

Various court records show Behrendt was in the midst of severe financial turmoil at the time when he was accused of starting the string of 19 burglaries in the two communities.

In the plea, Behrendt admitted to breaking into a home on Keim Trail in March 2010 and taking items that were later found in his possession. Police previously said many items taken in the burglaries had been returned to their owners.

Behrendt was charged with breaking into, or attempting to break into, the homes between late March and late June 2010 in some of St. Charles' most high-end subdivisions and two homes in Geneva. Investigators said Behrendt targeted homes after the residents had gone on vacation.

He's also faces charges of using a stolen credit card in DuPage County. Behrendt's attorney, Gary Johnson, said the DuPage case is likely to be dismissed based on the plea agreement in Kane.

Behrendt, who has been in Kane County Jail since his bail was raised to $3 million last year, spoke only to answer questions from Circuit Judge Allen Anderson about understanding his rights.

In a bid to be released from jail to care for his ill wife, Behrendt told a judge last year he was in "financial distress" as the couple's home was being foreclosed upon, they owed back rent on an apartment and also faced a federal tax lien.

Behrendt was given credit for 279 days in Kane County Jail, and is eligible for good behavior credit in prison, which could reduce his sentence to less than two years.