Looting in Fairdale, Stillman Valley Man Arrested

Dekalb County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a man from Stillman Valley man has been arrested for looting in Fairdale.

Richard Burtch, 44, of Stillman Valley, was arrested for looting and attempted looting stemming from a report taken on on April 18th when a resident from Fairdale reported that Mr Burtch had been seen several times loading his vehicle with donated items for the victims of the tornado.

The Sheriff's office says Mr. Burtch unloaded a stroller and a wheel barrow and left the scene. the next day, deputies along with Ogle County Sheriff's Office spoke with Mr. Burtch at his residence in Stillman Valley. Located at the residence were approximately 35 brand new tubs still in boxes, with an additional eight that had been filled with other donated items such as medicine, toiletries and food.

Also located were three wheel barrows, and over a dozen rakes, shovels and brooms. It was determined that Mr. Burtch had initially been coming into Fairdale to help a family member clean up their house that had been destroyed during the tornado. After the residence and debris had been removed, Mr. Burtch continued to come back so that he could gather more supplies for himself.

All supplies were collected and returned back to the Village of Fairdale residents. Mr. Burtch was charged with one (1) count of Felony Looting and one (1) count of Attempted Looting and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail on a $50,000 bond.