Kwane Lashay Russell, 31, of Chicago, Willie G. White, 47, of Chicago, and Cortney Lashawn Wilson, 51, of Bartlett, Illinois, were charged June 11 in Lake Superior Court following an alleged burglary at the Yale Business Center in Hammond.

According to court documents, Hammond police responded at approximately 12:35 a.m. June 10 to an alarm at the Yale Business Center in the 200 block of Russell Street after the building owner received a motion alert from his camera system and observed three men forcing entry into the building through a live video feed.

The building owner told police he had noticed earlier damage to an exterior door and a dumpster that appeared to have been moved near the building. Believing someone may attempt to break in, he placed the building’s camera system on high alert. Approximately 10 minutes before police arrived, he received another alert and observed three men dressed in black entering the building. He immediately called 911 while continuing to monitor the suspects through the camera system.

Responding officers established a perimeter around the building while additional officers prepared to clear the structure. Police were advised the suspects had last been seen entering the basement area, where copper piping and equipment were stored.

Court records state one suspect, later identified as Wilson, attempted to exit the building through an exterior door but retreated back inside after officers ordered him to show his hands. Officers then entered the building with a police K-9 and began searching room by room.

According to the affidavits, Russell was initially spotted peeking out from a basement doorway. He complied with commands and was taken into custody. Investigators allege Russell had earlier ignored commands from officers and fled deeper into the building before being apprehended.

Police said Wilson was later located hiding in the basement after officers tracked movement through the building. White was allegedly discovered concealed behind large objects inside a basement room after a police K-9 alerted to his location. Court records state White did not respond to commands to come out before being taken into custody.

The building owner told police that copper pipes had been moved from storage rooms into hallways and that smaller sections of copper piping had been gathered into a cardboard box. Investigators also reported finding a red-and-black power tool that was allegedly left behind by the suspects.

According to court documents, officers observed damage to multiple areas of the building, including the front entrance door, an electrical breaker box, and a generator transfer switch. The owner reported that fuses had been ripped from the breaker box, which controlled lighting and portions of the building’s camera system. Damage to the front door alone was estimated at approximately $800, with additional damage reported to electrical equipment.

The building owner told investigators he did not know any of the three men and had not given them permission to enter the building or remove any property.

The suspects are currently lodged in the Lake County Jail. 

Charges filed June 11, 2026:

Burglary (Level 5 Felony)

Criminal Mischief (Class B Misdemeanor)